Abstract: Selecting a fracing-plan-to-apply to optimize a complexity index includes identifying a set of controllable input variables that defines a fracing plan. Initial values for the set of controllable input variables are defined. The initial values of the set of controllable input variables are processed to produce an initial stimulated geometry. A complexity estimator is applied to the initial stimulated geometry to produce an initial complexity index, which is evaluated to identify at least one variation from the initial values, which is processed to produce a variation stimulated geometry for each of the at least one variation from the initial values. The complexity estimator is applied to the at least one variation stimulated geometry to produce a variation complexity index for each of the at least one variation from the initial values. The fracing-plan-to-apply is selected from among the initial values and the at least one variation from the initial values.

Abstract: Many monitoring systems, including distributed fiber optic sensing systems, are deployed to measure temperature, strain, acoustic, pressure, and electromagnetic data in a multi-well hydrocarbon field. By coupling disparate fiber optic cables together for strain sensing, a tubular cable is created that can be spooled and deployed as a single unit while allowing for multi-parameter sensing. Multiple tubular cables can measure and transmit sensing data from wellbores and geological formations. The data can be used to continually update a reservoir model and optimize production efficiency while also managing and mitigating subsidence by controlling injection and production rates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and storing measurements in point and vector format for a plurality of formations of reservoirs. In one embodiment, the methods comprise generating a set of measurements corresponding to a plurality of formations, reservoirs, or wellbores; determining physical locations for the set of measurements, wherein the physical locations are represented in a point and vector representation; associating the vector representations with the determined physical locations, wherein the vector representations comprise at least a magnitude and a direction derived from the measurement; wherein the magnitude and direction tracks the physical location in space and time; manipulating the set of measurements such that a change in physical location is updated in the vector representation; generating a repository of vector representations accessible to determine an optimal completion design for a set of parameters for a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and storing completion design models in a central data repository of models for completion design, well bore (such as fracturing or drilling) or other operations is shown.

Abstract: Fracturing operations that include fluid diversion cycles may include real-time, continuous-flow pressure diagnostics to analyze and design the fluid diversion cycles of fracturing operations. The real-time, continuous-flow pressure diagnostics are injection rate step cycles that may include open low injection rate step cycles, propped low injection rate step cycles, diverted low injection rate cycles, and high injection rate cycles.

Abstract: Systems and methods using electrically controlled propellant to operate equipment in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a tool assembly that comprises a tool body and an electrically controlled propellant; and placing the tool assembly in at least a portion of a subterranean formation. Electrical current may be applied to at least a portion of the electrically controlled propellant to ignite the portion of the propellant to operate a portion of the tool assembly.

Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. A fracture treatment target region in the subterranean region is analyzed based on the seismic response. A fracture propagation model is assessed based on the analysis of the fracture treatment target region. In some cases, the fracture propagation model is assessed in real time during a fracture treatment.

Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected by a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing array in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. Seismic response data based on the seismic response are analyzed to identify a location of a third wellbore in the subterranean region. A drilling direction for drilling the third wellbore is determined based on the identified location.

Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. Seismic response data based on the seismic response are analyzed to identify geomechanical properties of subterranean rock in a fracture treatment target region in the subterranean region. In some cases, the geomechanical properties include pore pressure, stress, or mechanical properties.

Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic profiling techniques. In some implementations, a time-sequence of seismic excitations are generated at seismic source locations in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. Each seismic excitation is generated at a respective time and at a respective subset of the seismic source locations. A time-sequence of seismic responses are detected at one or more seismic sensor locations in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. The time-sequence of seismic responses is associated with the time-sequence of seismic excitations. A fracture treatment of the subterranean region is analyzed based on the time-sequence of seismic responses.

Abstract: A reservoir simulator system models the effect of proppant damage on reservoir production through calculation of a fracture closure stress versus fracture permeability relationship, which is mathematically transformed into a pore pressure versus fracture permeability relationship. Based upon the pore pressure relationship, the system models reservoir production while taking into account the permeability reduction in the fractures brought about due to proppant damage.

Abstract: A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with a seismic excitation is detected by a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing array in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. A fracture treatment of the subterranean region is analyzed based on the seismic response.

Abstract: A method for real time crush testing of proppants including loading proppant into an apparatus comprising: a body with a chamber to accept a piston and proppant; a pressure piston; a pressure transducer located in the bottom of the chamber; and a displacement sensor; compressing the proppant with the pressure; calculating the amount of proppant material in the proppant pack; increasing pressure on the proppant pack until the sample is crushed; calculating proppant strength from at least the displacement sensor data. An apparatus includes a body with a chamber to accept a piston and proppant; a pressure piston; a pressure transducer located in the bottom of the chamber; and a displacement sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and storing measurements in point and vector format for a plurality of formations of reservoirs. In one embodiment, the methods comprise generating a set of measurements corresponding to a plurality of formations, reservoirs, or wellbores; determining physical locations for the set of measurements, wherein the physical locations are represented in a point and vector representation; associating the vector representations with the determined physical locations, wherein the vector representations comprise at least a magnitude and a direction derived from the measurement; wherein the magnitude and direction tracks the physical location in space and time; manipulating the set of measurements such that a change in physical location is updated in the vector representation; generating a repository of vector representations accessible to determine an optimal completion design for a set of parameters for a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for continuous measuring of hardness in subterranean formation material includes pressing the tip of an indenter in an indentation assembly against the surface of formation material with a prescribed force; creating an indentation; measuring the applied force and/or the depth of the indentation; moving at least one of the indenter across the surface of the material, the material across the surface of the indenter, and combinations thereof, with constant axial force applied to the tip of the indenter to create an indentation path; and measuring applied force, indenter displacement, and lateral displacement while the indenter is creating the indention path, wherein the applied force, indenter displacement, and lateral displacement are used to determine the continuous hardness of the formation material. An apparatus includes a specimen table and an indention assembly including an indention tip. Another apparatus includes a tool body with caliper arms and an indention assembly.

Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. A fracture treatment target region in the subterranean region is analyzed based on the seismic response. A fracture propagation model is assessed based on the analysis of the fracture treatment target region. In some cases, the fracture propagation model is assessed in real time during a fracture treatment.

Abstract: A method for utilizing multi-parameter fiber optic sensing cables in conjunction with a reservoir compaction and subsidence model of a multi-well hydrocarbon field to continuously update the reservoir model to optimize production efficiency while ensuring well integrity on a field level.

Abstract: Fracturing operations that include fluid diversion cycles may include real-time, continuous-flow pressure diagnostics to analyze and design the fluid diversion cycles of fracturing operations. The real-time, continuous-flow pressure diagnostics are injection rate step cycles that may include open low injection rate step cycles, propped low injection rate step cycles, diverted low injection rate cycles, and high injection rate cycles.

Abstract: In some aspects, data for a new microseismic event associated with a stimulation treatment of a subterranean region is received. A boundary that was previously computed to enclose locations of prior microseismic events associated with the stimulation treatment is identified. The boundary is modified based on the data for the new microseismic event.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to simulate a fracture treatment. In some aspects, a common solution vector for multiple distinct subsystem models is defined. Each subsystem model represents a distinct subsystem of an injection treatment system. Parameters of the subsystem models are updated based on the solution vector according to predefined relationships between the solution vector and the parameters of the subsystem models. The subsystem models are operated based on the solution vector and the updated parameters.