Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing stimulation operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with a reservoir therein. The method involves acquiring integrated wellsite data (e.g., geomechanical, geological, and/or geophysical properties of the formation, and/or geometrical properties of the mechanical discontinuities in the formation). The method also involves generating a mechanical earth model using the integrated wellsite data, and identifying a crossing behavior between an induced hydraulic fracture and at least one discontinuity in the formation. The method also involves optimizing a stimulation plan to achieve an optimized crossing behavior. The stimulation plan includes at least one of fluid viscosity, rate of injection of the fracturing fluid, and concentration of a fluid loss additive. The optimization may further include adjusting the stimulation plan to achieve the optimized crossing behavior between the induced hydraulic fracture and the discontinuity in the formation.

Abstract: Methods of performing a fracture operation at a wellsite with a fracture network are provided. The methods involve obtaining wellsite data and a mechanical earth model, and generating a hydraulic fracture growth pattern for the fracture network over time. The generating involves extending hydraulic fractures from a wellbore and into the fracture network of a subterranean formation to form a hydraulic fracture network, determining hydraulic fracture parameters after the extending, determining transport parameters for proppant passing through the hydraulic fracture network, and determining fracture dimensions of the hydraulic fractures from the hydraulic fracture parameters, the transport parameters and the mechanical earth model. The methods also involve performing stress shadowing on the hydraulic fractures to determine stress interference between fractures and repeating the generating based on the determined stress interference. The methods may also involve determining crossing behavior.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation comprising measuring mechanical properties of a formation comprising Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and in-situ stress; determining formation fracture height based on the mechanical properties; estimating number and location of hydraulic fractures based on the determining; identifying hydraulic fracturing treatment stages based on the estimating; and performing hydraulic fracturing treatments in the stages. A method for treating a subterranean formation comprising measuring mechanical properties of a formation comprising Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and in-situ stress; determining a target zone based on the mechanical properties; estimating number and location of hydraulic fractures based on the determining; identifying hydraulic fracturing treatment stages based on the estimating; and performing hydraulic fracturing treatments in the stages.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of optimizing a sequenced hydraulic fracturing treatment to be performed on a well includes predicting, based on a well model of the well and a hydraulic fracturing treatment schedule, a seal state of a perforation cluster. The method may further include updating, based on the predicted seal state, a pilling operation of a stage of the hydraulic fracturing treatment schedule. The method may further include modifying the sequenced hydraulic fracturing treatment schedule to be performed based on the updated pilling operation. The well model includes a geomechanical model of the well and a geological formation.

Abstract: Method for well re-stimulation treatment using instantaneous shut-in pressure (ISIP) to guide the design and execution of refracturing stages. Pore pressure and optional cluster stresses are determined at a start of the treatment. Goal ISIPs for the refracturing correspond to undepleted regions of the formation, and target ISIPs versus treatment progression/stage range from about a lowest pore pressure corresponding to depleted regions of the formation up to within the goal range ISIPs. Diversion and proppant pumping schedules are designed, and the refracturing treatment is initiated in accordance with the design. ISIP is measured at stage end, and if it varies from the target ISIP, subsequent stages are modified from the design as needed to more closely match the ISIP schedule.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of optimizing a sequenced hydraulic fracturing treatment to be performed on a well includes predicting, based on a well model of the well and a hydraulic fracturing treatment schedule, a seal state of a perforation cluster. The method may further include updating, based on the predicted seal state, a pilling operation of a stage of the hydraulic fracturing treatment schedule. The method may further include modifying the sequenced hydraulic fracturing treatment schedule to be performed based on the updated pilling operation. The well model includes a geomechanical model of the well and a geological formation.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing a fracturing operation about a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The method may acquire integrated wellsite data. The method may generate a mechanical earth model using the integrated wellsite data. The method may simulate an intersection of an induced hydraulic fracture with a natural fracture using the mechanical earth model. The method may determine intersection properties of the intersected natural fracture. The method may also generate a stimulation plan using the mechanical earth model and the intersection properties. The stimulation plan may include a fluid viscosity or a rate of injection of a fracturing fluid.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a formation description module that interprets a formation description corresponding to a formation of interest, a fluid description module that interprets a high solids content fluid (HSCF) description, and a fracture modeling module that models a fracturing operation in the formation of interest in response to the formation description and the HSCF description. The apparatus further includes a fracture results module that provides a fracture treatment description parameter in response to the model.

Abstract: Methods of performing a fracture operation at a wellsite with a fracture network are provided. The methods involve obtaining wellsite data and a mechanical earth model, and generating a hydraulic fracture growth pattern for the fracture network over time. The generating involves extending hydraulic fractures from a wellbore and into the fracture network of a subterranean formation to form a hydraulic fracture network, determining hydraulic fracture parameters after the extending, determining transport parameters for proppant passing through the hydraulic fracture network, and determining fracture dimensions of the hydraulic fractures from the hydraulic fracture parameters, the transport parameters and the mechanical earth model. The methods also involve performing stress shadowing on the hydraulic fractures to determine stress interference between fractures and repeating the generating based on the determined stress interference. The methods may also involve determining crossing behavior.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing stimulation operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with a reservoir therein. The method involves acquiring integrated wellsite data (e.g., geomechanical, geological, and/or geophysical properties of the formation, and/or geometrical properties of the mechanical discontinuities in the formation). The method also involves generating a mechanical earth model using the integrated wellsite data, and identifying a crossing behavior between an induced hydraulic fracture and at least one discontinuity in the formation. The method also involves optimizing a stimulation plan to achieve an optimized crossing behavior. The stimulation plan includes at least one of fluid viscosity, rate of injection of the fracturing fluid, and concentration of a fluid loss additive. The optimization may further include adjusting the stimulation plan to achieve the optimized crossing behavior between the induced hydraulic fracture and the discontinuity in the formation.

Abstract: A method for calibrating fracture networks. The method includes estimating an average fracture width of a fracture network using one or more of net fracturing pressure, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, and fracture height; determining microseismic event envelope and base intensity data using a three-dimensional geomodel including microseismic event data; and determining hydraulic fracturing treatment (HFT) fracture intensity of post-hydraulic fracturing treatment (post-HFT) based on the average fracture width and HFT volume data. The method further includes calibrating the base intensity data to the HFT fracture intensity to obtain calibrated HFT fracture intensity, determining a proppant transportation and distribution scenario, and generating a dual porosity reservoir model based on the calibrated HFT fracture intensity and the proppant transportation and distribution scenario.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of treating a subterranean formation of a well bore, that provides a first treatment fluid; subsequently, pumps the first treatment fluid to initiate a network of low conductivity fractures in the subterranean formation; provides a second treatment fluid comprising a second carrier fluid, a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 ?m and a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size, such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.74; and subsequently, pumps the second treatment fluid to initiate at least one high conductivity fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein the high conductivity fracture has a conductivity higher than the average of the conductivity of the low conductivity fractures and connects the network of the low conductivity fractures.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for use in a wellbore, comprising: providing a first fluid comprising at least a first type of particulate material having a first average particle size and a second type of particulate material having a second average particle size, wherein first average particle size is smaller than second average particle size; providing a second fluid comprising at least a third type of particulate material having a third average particle size and a fourth type of particulate material having a fourth average particle size, wherein third average particle size is smaller than fourth average particle size; and introducing the first fluid into the wellbore subsequently followed by introducing the second fluid into the wellbore, wherein the third average particle size is substantially equal to the second average particle size.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a formation description module that interprets a formation description corresponding to a formation of interest, a fluid description module that interprets a high solids content fluid (HSCF) description, and a fracture modeling module that models a fracturing operation in the formation of interest in response to the formation description and the HSCF description. The apparatus further includes a fracture results module that provides a fracture treatment description parameter in response to the model.

Abstract: A method includes initiating a first hydraulic fracture with a first fracture initiation fluid at a first position in a wellbore. The method further includes positioning a high-solids content fluid (HSCF) in the first hydraulic fracture. The method further includes initiating a second hydraulic fracture with a second fracture initiation fluid at a second position in the wellbore, where the second position is not hydraulically isolated from the first position. The method further includes positioning the HSCF in the second hydraulic fracture.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of treating a subterranean formation of a well bore, that provides a first treatment fluid; subsequently, pumps the first treatment fluid to initiate a network of low conductivity fractures in the subterranean formation; provides a second treatment fluid comprising a second carrier fluid, a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 ?m and a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size, such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.74; and subsequently, pumps the second treatment fluid to initiate at least one high conductivity fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein the high conductivity fracture has a conductivity higher than the average of the conductivity of the low conductivity fractures and connects the network of the low conductivity fractures.

Abstract: A method for calibrating fracture networks. The method includes estimating an average fracture width of a fracture network using one or more of net fracturing pressure, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, and fracture height; determining microseismic event envelope and base intensity data using a three-dimensional geomodel including microseismic event data; and determining hydraulic fracturing treatment (HFT) fracture intensity of post-hydraulic fracturing treatment (post-HFT) based on the average fracture width and HFT volume data. The method further includes calibrating the base intensity data to the HFT fracture intensity to obtain calibrated HFT fracture intensity, determining a proppant transportation and distribution scenario, and generating a dual porosity reservoir model based on the calibrated HFT fracture intensity and the proppant transportation and distribution scenario.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation comprising measuring mechanical properties of a formation comprising Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and in-situ stress; determining formation fracture height based on the mechanical properties; estimating number and location of hydraulic fractures based on the determining; identifying hydraulic fracturing treatment stages based on the estimating; and performing hydraulic fracturing treatments in the stages. A method for treating a subterranean formation comprising measuring mechanical properties of a formation comprising Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and in-situ stress; determining a target zone based on the mechanical properties; estimating number and location of hydraulic fractures based on the determining; identifying hydraulic fracturing treatment stages based on the estimating; and performing hydraulic fracturing treatments in the stages.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is carried out by performing a diagnostic operation wherein a fluid is introduced into the wellbore at a pressure sufficient to create at least one microseismic event within the formation. The at least one microseismic event is monitored. At least one property of the formation surrounding the well is determined based on the monitored at least one microseismic event. A well treatment is performed based upon the determined at least one property of the well wherein the well is modified by the well treatment.

Abstract: A method of creating multiple fractures in a well traversing a formation is described using pressurized fluids in a highly deviated or horizontal section of the well at a pressure above the fracturing pressure of the formation, wherein for creating a fracture the pressurized fluid is alternated between an acid fracturing fluid and a proppant loaded fluid, such that the proppant blocks the flow of pressurized fluid into a fracture created during a previous step of the method and the subsequently pressurized acid fracturing fluid creates a new fracture at a location along the highly deviated or horizontal section different from the location of the previously created fracture.