The Real-Time Calculation of Accurate Bottomhole Fracturing Pressure From Surface Measurements Using Measured Pressures as a Base

Abstract

The Real-Time Calculation of Accurate Bottomhole Fracturing Pressure From Surface Measurements Using Measured Pressures as a Base R.R. Hannah; R.R. Hannah The Western Co. of North America Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar L.J. Harrington; L.J. Harrington The Western Co. of North America Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar L.C. Lance L.C. Lance The Western Co. of North America Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Francisco, California, October 1983. Paper Number: SPE-12062-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/12062-MS Published: October 05 1983 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Get Permissions Search Site Citation Hannah, R.R., Harrington, L.J., and L.C. Lance. "The Real-Time Calculation of Accurate Bottomhole Fracturing Pressure From Surface Measurements Using Measured Pressures as a Base." Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Francisco, California, October 1983. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/12062-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition Search Advanced Search Members SPE-AIMEINTRODUCTION:Several papers written since 1978 have addressed the importance of an accurate knowledge of bottom hole fracturing pressure. Nolte and Smith in 1979 focused industry attention on the value of this information in predicting fracturing conditions. By the proper predicting fracturing conditions. By the proper interpretation of the slope of log net fracture pressure versus log time, they showed that normal extension with confined height, fracture height growth with extension, loss of fluid loss control due to hairline fracture openings, and runaway growth of fracture height could be interpreted for fractures conforming to the fracture geometry of Perkins and Kern and Nordgren. Nolte in another paper, demonstrated that post-fracturing pressure decline data could be used to predict certain pressure decline data could be used to predict certain other fracturing parameters such as fracture height, leak-off coefficient, length, width, and closure time. Papers dealing with this technique include those of Papers dealing with this technique include those of Veatch and Crowell, Schlottman, et al, Dobkins Smith and Smith. Nolte, in 1982, wrote an excellent paper summarizing these techniques in SPE paper 10911, paper summarizing these techniques in SPE paper 10911, "Fracture Design Considerations Based on Pressure Analysis." Novotny also proposed a fracture closure model based on fracture geometry and leak off. Erdle, et al, discussed the results of an experimental program conducted in Peru that addressed the same topics. program conducted in Peru that addressed the same topics. The authors here will not attempt to review or expand on the interpretive techniques given in the literature cited above. This approach has been generally accepted by the industry and dealt with in an excellent manner by the authors listed.In the cited literature a reference string, either the tubing or the tubing casing annulus, was available to act as a monitor for bottom hole pressure behavior, that is the sum of the indicated surface pressure plus the pressure exerted by the pressure plus the pressure exerted by the hydrostatic head in the reference string is an accurate reflection of the true bottom hole fracturing pressure. The reference string, while desirable in terms of pressure measurement, presents some problems from both an operational presents some problems from both an operational and economic standpoint. In many cases the strength of the tubular goods is insufficient to allow the well to be fractured at meaningful rates with a reference string in the well. For higher pressured wells, treatment down tubing without a pressured wells, treatment down tubing without a packer is many times impossible without casing packer is many times impossible without casing rupture. In addition, unless the well can be placed in its final production configuration, the placed in its final production configuration, the expanse of tubing trips must also be borne. Where annular treatments are performed there is concern that the presence of the tubing may contribute significantly to shear degradation of the crosslinked gels and that injection rates using this configuration may be limited.In theory, it has always been possible to predict bottom hole pressure from surface pressure predict bottom hole pressure from surface pressure measurements since:P = P + P - P .....................(1) P = P + P - P .....................(1) bh s HH fWhere is the total pressure due to friction including that due to perforations. While this seems essentially a very simple operation, it implies an exact knowledge of injection rate, sand concentration, and base gel friction. During an actual treatment these variables change quite rapidly with time so that, except at selected points, no coherent picture of bottom hole points, no coherent picture of bottom hole pressure behavior is possible without some means pressure behavior is possible without some means of sensing and averaging this data quite rapidly. Keywords: calculation, reference string, upstream oil & gas, proppant, drilling fluid chemistry, hole pressure, simulation, hydraulic fracturing, gel, drilling fluid formulation Subjects: Drilling Fluids and Materials, Hydraulic Fracturing, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Fracturing materials (fluids, proppant) This content is only available via PDF. 1983. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.