Method and apparatus for reservoir analysis and fracture design in a rock layer
AssigneesIkon Science Innovation Limited, Geosphere Limited
InventorTimothy Richard Harper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of hydraulic fracturing of a hydrocarbon reservoir in a rock layer uses a method of providing a reservoir description. Firstly, a reservoir description is provided for the hydrocarbon reservoir. This reservoir description comprises a distribution of stresses within a rock layer affecting propagation of a hydraulic fracture. This reservoir description can be used to calculate a fracture plan to for hydraulic fracture of the hydrocarbon reservoir according to the distribution of stresses in the reservoir description to provide one or more predetermined fracture properties. Hydraulic fracturing of the hydrocarbon reservoir can then follow according to the fracture plan. A method determines minimum horizontal stress in a rock region.
Claims19
A method of hydraulic fracturing of a hydrocarbon reservoir in a rock layer, the method comprising:
- predicting a distribution of a plurality of stress chains that are located within the rock layer and which have been created by interaction between slipped natural fractures in the hydrocarbon reservoir;
- providing a reservoir description for the hydrocarbon reservoir, the reservoir description comprising a distribution of stresses within the rock layer affecting propagation of a hydraulic fracture, the distribution of stresses including the predicted distribution of stress chains and comprising a two-dimensional distribution laterally within the rock layer and a distribution normal to the rock layer;
- calculating a fracture plan for hydraulic fracture of the hydrocarbon reservoir according to the predicted distribution of stress chains in the reservoir description to provide one or more predetermined fracture properties;
- and
- hydraulic fracturing of the hydrocarbon reservoir according to the fracture plan.
A method of hydraulic fracturing of a hydrocarbon reservoir in a rock layer, the method comprising:
- providing a reservoir description for the hydrocarbon reservoir, the reservoir description comprising a distribution of stresses within a rock layer affecting propagation of a hydraulic fracture, wherein providing the reservoir description comprises:
- interpreting from in situ measurements an original set of stress values at a plurality of points in the rock region;
- determining the distribution of stresses in the rock region with depth;
- and
- determining a modified set of stress values by applying the determined distribution of stresses in the rock region with depth to the original set of stress values;
- and
- calibrating the stress values in the modified set of stress values to determine a minimum horizontal stress in the rock region with depth;
- calculating a fracture plan for hydraulic fracture of the hydrocarbon reservoir according to the distribution of stresses in the reservoir description to provide one or more predetermined fracture properties;
- and
- hydraulic fracturing of the hydrocarbon reservoir according to the fracture plan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.