SPE General Meeting

Topic:       Evidence of Strong Fracture Height Containment Based on Complex Shear Failure and Formation Anisotropy

Speaker:    Dr. Robert Barree,  President, Barree & Associates

Date:              Wednesday - December 15, 2010

Time:         11:30 am

 Place:         Denver Athletic Club

4th Floor 1325 Glenarm Place Denver, CO80204 303-534-1211

Map of 1325 Glenarm Pl Denver, CO 80204-2114

 Cost:    $25.00 with reservations, $30.00 at the door if space is available.

 Abstract: 
 For years, uncontrolled fracture heights have been modeled for layered reservoirs using Mode-I tensile failure driven three-dimensional (3D) and pseudo-three-dimensional (P3D) fracture geometry models.  In these models stress contrast between layers has been assumed to provide the dominant height containment mechanism.  Meanwhile, many of the completion diagnostic tools were revealing more contained fracture heights and were thus being discounted.  As more diagnostic tools have been employed, it has become apparent that the frac models may have been incorrectly over-predicting fracture heights in many cases. Mine-backs and post-frac coring revealed more contained fracture heights, as did radioactive tracer logs, treating pressure profiles, fall-off data, production modeling, and the absence of perforated interval communication.
 
This talk will present some observations that support more contained fracture height development in tght gas sands and shale completions. It will also discuss mechanisms which contribute to fracture height containment. These include poroelasticity, abnormally high “trapped” pore pressure, and complex shear in layered or anisotropic media.  It will present some modeling methodologies that place more emphasis on poroelasticity and Mode-II shear failure than current conventional fracture models.  The need for investigation, and adoption, of these methodologies will be corroborated by diagnostic data.

Biography:

Robert D. Barree is president and principal investigator of Barree & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in stimulation and well performance optimization. He has been involved in the development of hydraulic fracture technology since 1980 and is the primary author of the fully three-dimensional hydraulic fracture simulator GOHFER. Dr. Barree is also the author of more than fifty technical publications and has served as SPE Distinguished Lecturer on the topic of new philosophies in hydraulic fracturing. He is a registered Professional Engineer and holds a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and Ph.D. from Colorado School of Mines.