812 Pages 510 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Hydraulic Fracturing effectively busts the myths associated with hydraulic fracturing. It explains how to properly engineer and optimize a hydraulically fractured well by selecting the right materials, evaluating the economic benefits of the project, and ensuring the safety and success of the people, environment, and equipment. From data estimation to design, operation, and performance management, the text presents a logical, step-by-step process for hydraulic fracturing that aids in proper engineering decision making when stimulating a particular reservoir. Numerous problem sets reinforce the learning and aid in risk assessment. Additional material is available from the CRC Press website.

    History, Introduction, and How a Treatment Is Conducted
    Introduction
    Fracture Geometry
    Fracturing Fluids
    Proppants
    Treatment Design
    Modern Treatment Design Process
    Additional Comments
    References
    Definitions and Simple Geometry Models
    Introduction
    What Is Fracturing?
    Why Fracture?
    Treatment Design Variables
    References
    Design Variables
    Design Parameters: Fracture Height
    Design Parameters: Modulus (E)
    Design Parameters: Fluid Loss ("C" and Spurt)
    References
    Rock Stresses
    Introduction
    History
    Vertical Stress
    Horizontal Stress
    In Situ Stress Direction
    In Situ Stress Differences
    In Situ Stress Measurement
    Proppant Stress
    Wellbore Breakdown
    References
    Petrophysics
    Depth
    Primary Logs
    References
    Post-Frac Performance
    Fracture Length or Conductivity?
    Equivalent Wellbore Radius
    Folds of Increase
    Acid
    Transient Flow
    References
    Treatment Scheduling
    Introduction
    Perfect Support Fluids
    Banking Fluids
    Tip Screen-Out Fracturing
    Time-Temperature Fluid History
    Unexpected Design Flaws or "Gotchas"
    References
    Additional References
    Frac Pressure Analysis
    History
    Similarity to Pressure Transient Analysis
    Closure Pressure
    Treating Pressure (PNet) Analysis
    PDL Analysis
    Analysis for Reservoir Parameters (After-Closure Analysis)
    Acknowledgment
    Application and Examples
    Low Permeability
    Moderate/High Permeability
    "G" Function
    QLoss: Fluid Loss Rate
    Fracture Stiffness
    "G" Function
    "G" Function Plot for ΔP*
    References
    Additional References
    Engineering the Fluid
    Introduction
    History
    Types of Fracturing Fluids
    Characterization of Fracturing Fluids
    Proppant Fall Rates
    Viscosity and Fracture-Treating Pressure
    References
    Additional References
    Fracturing Fluid Components
    Water
    Clay Control Agents
    Friction Reducers
    Gelling Agents
    Oil-Based Fluids
    Breakers
    Viscosity Stabilizers
    Buffers
    Surfactants/Mutual Solvents
    Biocides/Bactericides
    References
    Additional References
    Proppants
    Introduction
    History of Proppant
    Conductivity
    Proppant Conductivity Corrections
    Proppant Size and Placement
    Proppant Concentration
    References
    Additional References
    Perforating
    Introduction
    Completion Strategies
    References
    Additional References
    Acid Fracturing
    Introduction
    Selecting Acid Fluids
    Treatment Techniques
    Carbonate Acid Chemistry
    Acid Reaction Rate
    Reaction Rate Laboratory Testing
    Acid Mass Transport
    Fluid Loss
    Wormholes
    Natural Fracture Fluid Loss
    Acid-Etched Conductivity
    Additives
    Placement/Diversion
    Design Examples
    References
    Selected References
    Fracture Diagnostics
    Introduction
    Post-Frac Logging
    Microseismic Monitoring
    Tiltmeters
    References
    Special Topics: Shale/Horizontal Well Fracturing, Frac Packing, and Waste Disposal
    Shale/Horizontal Well Fracturing
    Frac Packing (Fracturing in Sand Control Environments)
    Key Elements
    Using Hydraulic Fracturing for Waste Disposal
    Wellbore Breakdown Calculations
    Elastic Analysis for an Open Hole
    Nonpenetrating Fluid
    Penetrating Fluid
    Tensile Failure Mechanism
    References
    Quality Control
    Introduction
    Pre-Job Planning
    Qualifying Source Water
    Acid Quality Checks
    Base Oil
    Quality Control of Proppants
    On-Location Activities
    Diagnostic Testing
    During the Job
    Post-Frac
    Initial Flowback
    Energized Fluids
    Post-Job Evaluation
    Back in the Office
    Calculations
    References
    Additional References
    Quality Control and Testing of Water-Based Fracturing Fluids
    Friction Reducers/Slick Water
    Friction Reduces Stability and Water Compatibility
    Linear Gels
    Cross-Linked Gels
    Viscoelastic Surfactants
    Energized Fluids
    Quality Control and Testing of Oil-Based Fluids
    Qualifying Base Oil
    Gelled Oil Systems
    Generic Procedures/Guidelines for a Step-Rate Test/Step-Down Test
    Step-Rate Test (Used to Measure Fracture Extension Pressure)
    Step-Down Test (Used to Measure Friction vs. Pump Rate)
    Hydraulic Fracture Design Data Needs
    Introduction
    Reservoir Data
    Log Data
    Geologic Data
    Fracturing Data
    Additional Reference
    Example Design
    Well History
    Log Data
    Reservoir Data
    Reservoir Fluid Data
    Core Data
    Future Production Conditions
    References
    Glossary and Terms
    Basic Relations
    Data Needs/Data Sources
    References
    Additional References
    Problems
    Prue #1
    Prue #1—Suggested Solution
    Janie Bea
    Janie Bea: Shallow Gas Zone
    Final Design
    CCCruz #1
    CCCruz #1 Wilcox Low-Permeability Gas Well
    Reference
    Index

    Biography

    Michael Berry Smith holds a Ph.D in rock mechanics from Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA, and has more than 30 years of experience in rock mechanics, well completions, and hydraulic fracturing. While with Amoco Production Company, Dr. Smith co-developed the framework for fracturing pressure analysis, which revolutionized the fracturing technology. He has been a consultant worldwide, served several times as a distinguished lecturer at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), authored multiple chapters in the SPE monograph Recent Advances In Hydraulic Fracturing, and developed and presented SPE short courses on fracturing pressure analysis. Recently, he was presented with the SPE Lester C. Uren Award for his contributions to hydraulic fracturing technology.

    Carl T. Montgomery is recognized within the industry as one of the leaders in all areas of stimulation, including hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, matrix stimulation, cavity completions, waste/cuttings injection, rock mechanics, and scale prevention/removal. In addition, he has considerable experience in cementing, sand management, conformance control, perforating strategy, and formation damage. Formerly, he was with ConocoPhillips, Arco, and Dowell Schlumberger. He also served as a special member of the petroleum engineering graduate faculty at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA, and received the 2007 SPE Drilling and Completions Award.

    "Hydraulic fracturing is becoming more and more prevalent in connection with the development of unconventional resources all over the world. Understanding the mechanisms associated with this type of completion method and [possessing] knowledge related to state-of-the-art, full 3D fracturing design modeling tools are mandatory for this industry. Unfortunately, the stimulation industry still relies on simplistic and plain wrong modeling and, hence, this book can make a difference. … It represents an update on fracturing technology."
    —Arthur Bale, Statoil, Bergen, Norway

    "This book definitely fills an important role of providing practical hydraulic fracturing field experience. The authors clearly explain the sometimes deviations from theoretical predictions. In addition, chapter 15 contains exceptional discussions on shale stimulations and horizontal completions."
    —Jean-Claude Roegiers, Professor Emeritus, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA

    "…definitely a book that all young fracture engineers should have at their side. The book is very well laid out and can be used as a workflow for designing fracture treatments. Its practical writing style makes it easy to understand and comments within the text on potential problem areas are an invaluable source of knowledge."
    —Kirk Bartko, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran

    "... presents a logical, step-by-step process, ... effectively busting the myths associated with hydraulic fracturing."
    SirReadalot.org, October 21, 2015