Multiwell Experiment (MWX) stimulation data review, in situ stress analysis

Technical Report · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6542564

Smith, M B

The MWX experiments conducted in the Mesaverde Group in Colorado have created a comprehensive data base of fracturing tests and measured hydraulic fracturing behavior. Since in situ stresses are the primary control mechanism over fracture geometry, a significant portion of the pre-frac ''fracture'' testing was concerned with stress tests. As the first step in evaluating the final utility of the stress testing program in terms of: (1) testing theories of fracture geometry in a field scale environment, and (2) examining the usefulness of pre-frac testing for improving the predictability of well stimulations; much of the in situ stress test data collected in the MWX wells was reviewed, and, in some instances, re-analyzed. The immediate goals of this review, as reported on here, were to: confirm the stress results showing that significant stress differences can exist in lenticular formations, to evaluate the micro-frac stress testing procedure utilized for the MWX wells, and to examine correlations between measured stresses and other formation properties. Either the actual stress test data, or a formation property correlation, would then be used to generate a stress profile for each stimulated zone (e.g., Paludal, Coastal, and Fluvial) in the Mesaverde Group. These stress profiles will form the basis for subsequent fracturing analysis to compare predicted versus actual fracture behavior, and thus test fracturing theories and evaluate the utility of pre-frac testing. 15 refs., 37 figs., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: Nolte-Smith, Inc., Tulsa, OK (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC21-87MC24264
• OSTI ID: 6542564
• Report Number(s): DOE/MC/24264-2621; ON: DE88010274
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030200* -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
COMMINUTION
CORRELATIONS
DATA
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
INFORMATION
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NUMERICAL DATA
PERMEABILITY
PICEANCE CREEK BASIN
RESOURCES
STRESS ANALYSIS
WELLS