Abstract: A system and method is provided that determines at least one bottomhole condition during flowback operations in a well that traverses a hydraulically fractured reservoir. The system and method measure fluid properties of fluids produced at a surface-location of the well during the flowback operations. A transient fluid flow simulator determines composition and properties of fluids in the well between the surface-location of the well and at least one bottomhole-location of the well based on the measured fluid properties. At least one bottomhole condition in the well is determined based on the composition and properties of fluids in the well between the surface-location and at least one bottomhole-location of the well.

Abstract: Fracture monitoring and characterization of a subterranean fracturing process is described. Hydraulic fracturing conditions intended to induce tensile crack opening or compressional crack closure of a fracture responsible for a microseismic event in the Earth formation are selected and a hydraulic fracturing operation is performed using the selected conditions to cause tensile crack opening or compressional crack closure of the fracture responsible for a microseismic event in the Earth formation. Induced motion data from the microseismic event is received using a plurality of receivers, and the received data is analyzed to track the development of the fracture responsible for the microseismic event and/or to track a proppant distribution within the fracture.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid is injected under a high pressure into a well drilled in a formation to create a hydraulic fracture. Then a suspension of the hydraulic fracturing fluid mixed with proppant particles is injected into the well and the created hydraulic fracture, the suspension having a consistency coefficient greater than 0.1 Pa sn at any flow index n and a yield stress higher than 5 Pa. Then, an overflush fluid having a consistency coefficient lower than 0.01 Pa·sn is injected into the well.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that determines at least one bottomhole condition during flowback operations in a well that traverses a hydraulically fractured reservoir. The system and method measure fluid properties of fluids produced at a surface-location of the well during the flowback operations. A transient fluid flow simulator determines composition and properties of fluids in the well between the surface-location of the well and at least one bottomhole-location of the well based on the measured fluid properties. At least one bottomhole condition in the well is determined based on the composition and properties of fluids in the well between the surface-location and at least one bottomhole-location of the well.

Abstract: A flowback system and method employ a flowback model that characterizes fluid properties and rock mechanical properties of the reservoir during flowback in conjunction with measurement and analysis of chemistry and solids production with respect to the flowback fluid in order to maximize efficiency during the flowback operations, while mitigating formation damage and hydraulic fracture conductivity degradation. The methodology can define a safe drawdown operating zone for conducting flowback operations.

Abstract: A method can include receiving a geomechanical model associated with a geologic environment that includes a borehole where the geomechanical model includes a vertical dimension and lateral dimensions and where the borehole includes a lateral extent that spans a lateral distance in the geologic environment; conditioning the geomechanical model to provide a conditioned geomechanical model that includes representations of structural features based at least in part on borehole-wall image data of at least a portion of the lateral extent of the borehole; and determining a stress field for at least a portion of the geologic environment using the conditioned geomechanical model. The step of conditioning the geomechanical model can optionally include conditioning the geomechanical model to provide a conditioned geomechanical model that comprises representations of structural features based at least in part on sub-surface tool data of a substantially lateral extent of the geologic environment.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for processing geomechanical data. The method may include receiving a three-dimensional model of a subterranean volume that includes a reservoir, and determining, using a processor, one or more hydraulic fracture performance attributes of the subterranean volume based in part on the model. The method may also include determining a completion quality for one or more locations in the subterranean volume based at least in part on the one or more hydraulic fracture performance attributes.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation includes providing a plurality of cased wellbores penetrating a subterranean formation, where the plurality of cased wellbores is fluidly connected with a common treatment fluid source. Flow-through passages are then formed at a first zone within each wellbore of the plurality of cased wellbores, and the subterranean formation is treated by pumping a treatment fluid through the flow-through passages formed in the plurality of cased wellbores at a pressure sufficient to treat the subterranean formation. In some cases, the flow-through passages are a cluster of perforations. A fluid pressurizing system may be disposed between each of the wellbores and the common treatment fluid source.

Abstract: Fracture monitoring and characterisation of a subterranean fracturing process is described. Hydraulic fracturing conditions intended to induce tensile crack opening or compressional crack closure of a fracture responsible for a microseismic event in the Earth formation are selected and a hydraulic fracturing operation is performed using the selected conditions to cause tensile crack opening or compressional crack closure of the fracture responsible for a microseismic event in the Earth formation. Induced motion data from the microseismic event is received using a plurality of receivers, and the received data is analysed to track the development of the fracture responsible for the microseismic event and/or to track a proppant distribution within the fracture.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a downhole tool configured for conveyance within a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises: a probe assembly configured to seal a region of a wall of the borehole; a perforator configured to penetrate a portion of the sealed region of the borehole wall by projecting through the probe assembly; a fluid chamber comprising a fluid; and a pump configured to inject the fluid from the fluid chamber into the formation through the perforator.

Abstract: An apparatus for downhole operation. The apparatus comprising a support body having a surface located in a borehole and a coating on an at least a portion of the surface of the support body. The coating is an inert material selected for reducing friction and corrosion.

Abstract: A method for displaying geologic stress includes determining magnitudes and directions of principal stresses at at least one a selected location. An analog symbol is generated for each magnitude and direction of the principal stresses. The analog symbols include a magnitude descriptor and a direction descriptor. The analog symbols are stored or displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a downhole tool configured for conveyance within a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises: a probe assembly configured to seal a region of a wall of the borehole; a perforator configured to penetrate a portion of the sealed region of the borehole wall by projecting through the probe assembly; a fluid chamber comprising a fluid; and a pump configured to inject the fluid from the fluid chamber into the formation through the perforator.

Abstract: An apparatus for downhole operation. The apparatus comprising a support body having a surface located in a borehole and a coating on an at least a portion of the surface of the support body. The coating is an inert material selected for reducing friction and corrosion.

Abstract: A method for displaying geologic stress includes determining magnitudes and directions of principal stresses at at least one a selected location. An analog symbol is generated for each magnitude and direction of the principal stresses. The analog symbols include a magnitude descriptor and a direction descriptor. The analog symbols are stored or displayed.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of lining a well using expandable tubing including the steps of lowering a expandable tubing in a well bore; injecting a sealant composition into said well; letting the sealant composition solidify into a deformable matrix embedding at least a bottom section of said tubing within said well; and expanding the tubing. The invention allows the creation of a high quality seal at the shoe of the expandable casing because the deformable material is highly stressed by the expansion, and it also allows for the rest of the casing to be properly supported and protected by conventional cement, without incurring excessive wait-on-cement times.

Abstract: Methods and tools are described to reduce sanding including the steps of fracturing the cement sheath in a localized zone around the casing and having the fractured zone act as sand filter between the formation and openings in the casing, with the openings being best pre-formed but temporarily blocked so as to allow a conventional primary cementing of the casing. The fracturing step can also be used for remedial operation to reopen blocked formation or screens.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of lining a well using expandable tubing including the steps of lowering a expandable tubing in a well bore; injecting a sealant composition into said well; letting the sealant composition solidify into a deformable matrix embedding at least a bottom section of said tubing within said well; and expanding the tubing. The invention allows the creation of a high quality seal at the shoe of the expandable casing because the deformable material is highly stressed by the expansion, and it also allows for the rest of the casing to be properly supported and protected by conventional cement, without incurring excessive wait-on-cement times.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method to displace fluids and to prevent the mixing or bypassing of fluids used in gravel pack operations. A moveable plug is used to create a physical partition between fluids.

Abstract: Methods and tools are described to reduce sanding including the steps of fracturing the cement sheath in a localized zone around the casing and having the fractured zone act as sand filter between the formation and openings in the casing, with the openings being best pre-formed but temporarily blocked so as to allow a conventional primary cementing of the casing. The fracturing step can also be used for remedial operation to reopen blocked formation or screens.