Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting drill bit wearing state using drilling parameters and formation properties are disclosed. The methods include, for each of a plurality of past bit runs, obtaining a measured rock property value and a measured drilling variable value for the past bit run, and obtaining a measured dull grade for a drill bit used for the past bit run. The methods also include determining parameters of a functional relationship between the measured dull grade, the bit run time, the measured rock property value, and the measured drilling variable value, and predicting a predicted dull grade for a future bit run using a new drill bit. The methods further include replacing the new drill bit with a replacement drill bit at a time based, at least in part, on the predicted dull grade.

Abstract: Systems and methods include techniques for determining whether to use underbalanced coiled tubing drilling (UBCTD) or conventional drilling with hydraulic fracturing to drill a new well in deep and tight reservoirs with slow rate of penetration issues. Estimates of geomechanical properties and image log processing for past-drilled wells are completed first, then three-dimensional (3D) property modeling and natural fracture prediction (NFP) for the domain are conducted. Then a 3D geomechanics model is generated. After this the rock properties and NFP along the planned well trajectory are extracted. The diagenetic rock typing is evaluated. Required breakdown pressure for hydraulic fracturing is calculated. A determination based on the diagenetic rock typing and required breakdown pressure is made whether UBCTD or conventional drilling with hydraulic fracturing should be used for a new well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting drill bit wearing state using drilling parameters and formation properties are disclosed. The methods include, for each of a plurality of past bit runs, obtaining a measured rock property value and a measured drilling variable value for the past bit run, and obtaining a measured dull grade for a drill bit used for the past bit run. The methods also include determining parameters of a functional relationship between the measured dull grade, the bit run time, the measured rock property value, and the measured drilling variable value, and predicting a predicted dull grade for a future bit run using a new drill bit. The methods further include replacing the new drill bit with a replacement drill bit at a time based, at least in part, on the predicted dull grade.

Abstract: Images of subsurface formation walls adjacent well bores are obtained by the borehole imaging systems. The borehole images are processed to characterize the nature of fractures in the formation walls. The fractures are characterized as natural fractures or stress-induced tensile fractures based on the borehole image processing for geomechanical modeling in connection with reservoir characterization, fracture modeling, and stress analysis. A capability is provided to discriminate between the natural fractures and the stress induced tensile fractures and for performance of well activities.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining pore-volume of a fracture in a core plug. The method includes developing a grid block model constrained by fracture porosity estimated from a mechanical laboratory test, aperture calculation, and discrete fracture model validation. The method further includes determining the natural fracture porosity and pore volume from the equivalent medium for natural fractures, determining oil or gas reserves by calculating the fracture pore volume, and determining fracture porosity measurement from a test to calibrate 3D fracture models. The method also includes determining fracture porosity from a mechanical test, analyzing borehole image logs, developing a geomechanical model and fracture drivers, performing fracture model predictions, validating and calibrating the model, and determining fracture pore-volume of the core plug.

Abstract: Some methods of hydraulic fracturing of a subsurface formation include using a three-dimensional finite element model to simulate a deviated well with a wellbore casing, a cement adjacent to the wellbore casing, and a perforation cluster with at least two perforations. The FEM is applied (or solved) to determine a breakdown pressure of the deviated well based on an amount of tensile damage of the perforation cluster induced by an applied pressure representing injected hydraulic fluid. The FEM accounts for the 3D complex configuration of wellbore and perforation cluster. A deviated well is drilled and completed with a wellbore casing size, tubing size, wellhead, and hydraulic fracturing pump schedule selected at least in part based on the determined breakdown pressure before hydraulic fluid is injected into the deviated well at an injection pressure, which represents the required breakdown pressure to cause hydraulic fracturing of the rock of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: Some methods of hydraulic fracturing of a subsurface formation include using a three-dimensional finite element model to simulate a deviated well with a wellbore casing, a cement adjacent to the wellbore casing, and a perforation cluster with at least two perforations. The FEM is applied (or solved) to determine a breakdown pressure of the deviated well based on an amount of tensile damage of the perforation cluster induced by an applied pressure representing injected hydraulic fluid. The FEM accounts for the 3D complex configuration of wellbore and perforation cluster. A deviated well is drilled and completed with a wellbore casing size, tubing size, wellhead, and hydraulic fracturing pump schedule selected at least in part based on the determined breakdown pressure before hydraulic fluid is injected into the deviated well at an injection pressure, which represents the required breakdown pressure to cause hydraulic fracturing of the rock of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting a hydraulic fracturing method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of selecting a hydraulic fracturing process includes simulating, using one or more processors, a cased hole/perforation hydraulic fracturing process for a well within a field, wherein the simulating accounts for an interaction between hydraulic fractures and a natural fracture network surrounding the well. The method further includes receiving a determination of whether the hydraulic fractures interact with the natural fracture network according to an interaction criteria, receiving a selection of the cased hole hydraulic fracturing process in response to the hydraulic fractures not interacting with the natural fracture network according to the interaction criteria, and receiving a selection of an open hole hydraulic fracturing process in response to the hydraulic fractures interacting with the natural fracture network according to the interaction criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods are related to techniques related to reducing breakdown pressure for open hole hydraulic fracturing treatment through injecting cooling agents. The techniques may include identifying a stage of a multi-stage borehole. The techniques may further include identifying a parameter of rock that is adjacent the multi-stage borehole. The techniques may further include identifying, based on the parameter, a criteria of a cooling process that is to be performed on the rock. As a result, breakdown pressure of the rock may be reduced. The techniques may further include outputting an indication of the criteria for use in performing the cooling process. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X85P993 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X85P993 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X85P993 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X85P993, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X85P993 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X85P993 and methods of using maize variety X85P993 are disclosed.

Abstract: Fracture porosity and permeability variations with increasing effective stress, are measured and determined by laboratory testing of rock cylindrical core plugs of various types (carbonate, silico-clastic, shale, e.g.) and dimensions. The testing can be implemented for both natural and induced fractures propagating axially in the rock core plug. The testing begins with initial testing, sample preparation and obtaining measurements on an intact plug to define matrix properties in the rock core plug. A rock core plug with defined matrix properties is then after further preparation, subjected to an axial shear fracture (natural or induced) propagating through its body. Measurements are then obtained from the plug with an axial shear fracture (natural or induced) propagating through its body to determine fracture properties.

Abstract: Earth models of stress conditions in subsurface reservoirs are formed reflecting rock mechanical properties, stress regime and also wellbore stability. A number of variables related to the rock mechanical properties and stress conditions are parameterized. The variability of minimum horizontal stress magnitudes as a product of the relative contributions of the various rock properties and input parameters or variables used to form the model is analyzed. Differences between predicted minimum horizontal stress magnitudes in the formation and an actual measurement obtained from the formation (for example, fracture closure pressure) are determined. The determined differences are the minimized through an optimization methodology to find a best set of parameters suitable to match the minimum horizontal stress to actual formation measurement.

Abstract: Earth models of stress conditions in subsurface reservoirs are formed reflecting rock mechanical properties, stress regime and also wellbore stability. A number of variables related to the rock mechanical properties and stress conditions are parameterized. The variability of minimum horizontal stress magnitudes as a product of the relative contributions of the various rock properties and input parameters or variables used to form the model is analyzed. Differences between predicted minimum horizontal stress magnitudes in the formation and an actual measure me obtained from the formation (for example, fracture closure pressure) are determined. The determined differences are the minimized through an optimization methodology to find a best set of parameters suitable to match the minimum horizontal stress to actual formation measurement.

Abstract: Images of subsurface formation walls adjacent well bores are obtained by the borehole imaging systems. The borehole images are processed to characterize the nature of fractures in the formation walls. The fractures are characterized as natural fractures or stress-induced tensile fractures based on the borehole image processing for geomechanical modeling in connection with reservoir characterization, fracture modeling, and stress analysis. A capability is provided to discriminate between the natural fractures and the stress induced tensile fractures and for performance of well activities.

Abstract: Fracture porosity and permeability variations with increasing effective stress, are measured and determined by laboratory testing of rock cylindrical core plugs of various types (carbonate, silico-clastic, shale, e.g.) and dimensions. The testing can be implemented for both natural and induced fractures propagating axially in the rock core plug. The testing begins with initial testing, sample preparation and obtaining measurements on an intact plug to define matrix properties in the rock core plug. A rock core plug with defined matrix properties is then after further preparation, subjected to an axial shear fracture (natural or induced) propagating through its body. Measurements are then obtained from the plug with an axial shear fracture (natural or induced) propagating through its body to determine fracture properties.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH48FR and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH48FR with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH48FR through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH48FR or a locus conversion of PH48FR with another maize variety.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH48FR and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH48FR with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH48FR through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH48FR or a locus conversion of PH48FR with another maize variety.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH2TTD and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2TTD with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2TTD through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH2TTD or a locus conversion of PH2TTD with another maize variety.

Abstract: In reservoir hydrocarbon exploration, fracture characteristics of subsurface reservoir formations are analyzed based on measures obtained about the subsurface formations and rock. Models of subsurface reservoirs are developed with predictions of natural fracture networks within the subject subsurface reservoirs. The mechanical properties of the formation rock in the reservoirs serve as a main controller to model the natural fractures distribution and their properties. The models so formed are important in the location and completion of wells for hydrocarbon exploration and production.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X80M877 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X80M877 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X80M877 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X80M877, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X80M877 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X80M877 and methods of using maize variety X80M877 are disclosed.