Abstract: A method for controlling the growth of a hydraulic fracture using a stress shadow generated during a hydraulic fracturing operation includes selecting a stage pair including a first stage and a second stage for which hydraulic fractures are to be generated via a hydraulic fracturing operation. The method also includes hydraulic fracturing the first stage to generate a corresponding first hydraulic fracture and controlling a magnitude of a stress shadow originating from the first hydraulic fracture by varying at least one parameter of the hydraulic fracturing operation, where the stress shadow is controlled so as to provide a second hydraulic fracture of a target fracture shape for the second stage. The method further includes hydraulic fracturing the second stage to generate the second hydraulic fracture with the target fracture shape.

Abstract: A method for controlling the growth of a hydraulic fracture using a stress shadow generated during a hydraulic fracturing operation includes selecting a stage pair including a first stage and a second stage for which hydraulic fractures are to be generated via a hydraulic fracturing operation. The method also includes hydraulic fracturing the first stage to generate a corresponding first hydraulic fracture and controlling a magnitude of a stress shadow originating from the first hydraulic fracture by varying at least one parameter of the hydraulic fracturing operation, where the stress shadow is controlled so as to provide a second hydraulic fracture of a target fracture shape for the second stage. The method further includes hydraulic fracturing the second stage to generate the second hydraulic fracture with the target fracture shape.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the treatment schedule for a hydraulic fracturing operation corresponding to a hydrocarbon well to limit one or more pumping parameters (e.g., the pump time, pump volume, and/or pump rate) includes analyzing fracture diagnostic data and/or fracture model data to estimate the pumping parameter(s) at which the maximum number of hydraulic fractures will approximate a target fracture dimension during the hydraulic fracturing operation. The method also includes adjusting the treatment schedule for the hydraulic fracturing operation based on the estimated pumping parameter(s) and then hydraulic fracturing the hydrocarbon well according to the adjusted treatment schedule.

Abstract: A method for determining propped fracture dimensions for a parent well includes hydraulic fracturing a stage of a child well to form a child well fracture, as well as, during the hydraulic fracturing process, measuring, via the parent well, data that are indicative of the formation of a hydraulic connection between the wells via interaction between the wetted front of the child well fracture and the propped region of a corresponding parent well fracture. The method includes measuring TFR (or VFR) data corresponding to the formation of the hydraulic connection between the two wells. The method includes estimating a child well fracture dimension when the hydraulic connection was formed using the TFR data, in combination with a fracture growth profile, and estimating a propped fracture dimension of the parent well fracture based on the estimated dimension of the child well fracture and the distance between the wells at that stage.

Abstract: A method involves detecting parameters corresponding to a hydraulic connection between a monitor well and a treatment well. Such method includes hydraulic fracturing a stage of the treatment well to form hydraulic fractures extending into a surrounding formation, where at least a portion of the hydraulic fractures enable a hydraulic connection between the treatment well and the monitor well that is located in the same field as the treatment well or in an adjacent field. The method also includes measuring fluid influx data corresponding to the wellbore of the monitor well during the hydraulic fracturing of the stage of the treatment well, as well as determining one or more parameters corresponding to the hydraulic connection between the treatment well and the monitor well using the measured fluid influx data.

Abstract: A method and a system for volume-based proppant trapping along a fracture surface is disclosed. Hydraulic fracturing involves injecting proppant to ensure separation of the fracture surfaces after the stimulation treatment is completed. The spatial placement of proppant is assumed to be directly related to the fracture conductivity along the hydraulic fracture as well as its connectivity to the wellbore. Fracture conductivity is an important focus of designing fracture treatments since fracture conductivity may be directly related to the well performance. Thus, improving one or more aspects of proppant placement, such as determining the optimal type, size and/or concentration of proppant(s) may enhance fracture conductivity and in turn improve well performance. In order to understand the placement of proppant in the subsurface, a volume-based proppant trapping model is used.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing fluid flow in pipes. An exemplary method includes initializing models of at least two fluid pads and one or more pipe elements, the models of the fluid pads comprising material points; for each of the material points, determining: an integration weight; and a material state; (a) for each of the fluid pads, discretizing governing fluid flow equations on a numerical grid, wherein the numerical grid is constrained within the pipe elements; (b) solving the discretized equations to generate nodal solutions; (c) constructing material point solutions from the nodal solutions; and until end criteria are met: updating the models of the fluid pads with the material point solutions; and repeating (a)-(c). An exemplary fluid flow data analysis system includes a processor and a display configured to display graphical representations of a fluid flow model, wherein the system is configured to manage fluid flow in pipes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing fluid flow in pipes. An exemplary method includes initializing models of at least two fluid pads and one or more pipe elements, the models of the fluid pads comprising material points; for each of the material points, determining: an integration weight; and a material state; (a) for each of the fluid pads, discretizing governing fluid flow equations on a numerical grid, wherein the numerical grid is constrained within the pipe elements; (b) solving the discretized equations to generate nodal solutions; (c) constructing material point solutions from the nodal solutions; and until end criteria are met: updating the models of the fluid pads with the material point solutions; and repeating (a)-(c). An exemplary fluid flow data analysis system includes a processor and a display configured to display graphical representations of a fluid flow model, wherein the system is configured to manage fluid flow in pipes.