Handbook of Hydraulic Fracturing. Edition No. 1

Table of Contents

Preface vii

1 Definitions 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Definitions 3

1.2.1 Petroleum 5

1.2.2 Oil and Gas from Tight Formations 8

1.2.3 Opportunity Crudes 13

1.2.4 High-Acid Crude Oil 14

1.2.5 Foamy Oil 15

1.2.6 Heavy Oil 15

1.2.7 Extra Heavy Oil 16

1.2.8 Tar Sand Bitumen 16

1.2.9 Natural Gas 17

1.2.10 Shale Gas 19

1.2.11 Coalbed Methane (CBM) 21

1.2.12 Other Sources of Gas 22

1.3 Unconventional Oil 23

References 23

2 Reservoirs and Reservoir Fluids 27

2.1 Introduction 27

2.2 Sedimentary Rocks 30

2.2.1 Types 30

2.2.2 Characteristics 31

2.3 Reservoir Evaluation 32

2.3.1 Structural Types 35

2.3.2 Heterogeneity 36

2.3.3 Porosity and Permeability 37

2.4 Tight Formations 40

2.5 Evaluation of Reservoir Fluids 42

2.5.1 Sampling Methods 46

2.5.2 Data Acquisition and QA/QC 49

References 51

3 Oil and Gas Production 55

3.1 Introduction 55

3.2 Well Completion and Production 57

3.2.1 Well Completion 57

3.2.2 Production Methods 63

3.2.3 Fracturing Methods 73

3.3 Bitumen Recovery From Tar Sand Deposits 77

3.3.1 Mining Methods 78

3.3.2 Nonmining Methods 79

3.4 Sand Control 82

3.4.1 Methods 82

3.4.2 Guidelines for Process Selection 85

References 85

4 Analysis and Properties of Fluids 91

4.1 Introduction 91

4.2 Crude Oil 93

4.2.1 Sampling 94

4.2.2 Physical Properties 96

4.2.3 Thermal Properties 102

4.2.4 Fractionation 108

4.2.5 Molecular Weight 110

4.3 Natural Gas 112

4.3.1 Sampling 114

4.3.2 Test Methods 115

References 118

5 Hydraulic Fracturing 125

5.1 Introduction 125

5.2 Formation Evaluation 133

5.2.1 Geologic Evaluation 137

5.2.2 Geotechnical Evaluation 137

5.2.3 Formation Integrity 140

5.2.4 Permeability 140

5.2.5 Porosity 141

5.2.6 Saturation 141

5.2.7 Capillary Pressure 141

5.2.8 Logging Analysis 142

5.2.9 Mechanical Properties 143

5.3 The Fracturing Process 143

5.3.1 Equipment 144

5.3.2 Fracture Patterns 148

5.3.3 Well Development 150

5.3.4 Pneumatic Fracturing 151

5.4 Fractures 152

5.4.1 Fracture Geometry 155

5.4.2 Fracture Optimization 157

5.5 Fracture Monitoring 157

5.5.1 Monitoring 158

5.5.2 Aids in Production 160

References 160

6 Fracturing Fluids 165

6.1 Introduction 165

6.2 Properties 169

6.3 Types of Fluids 174

6.3.1 Water-Based Fluids 175

6.3.2 Foam-Based Fluids 178

6.3.3 Oil-Based Fluids 178

6.3.4 Acid-Based Fluids 179

6.3.5 Alcohol-Based Fluids 179

6.3.6 Emulsion-Based Fluids 180

6.3.7 Cryogenic Fluids 180

6.4 Additives 181

6.4.1 Fluid-Loss Additives 183

6.4.2 Clay Stabilizers 183

6.4.3 Gel Breakers 184

6.4.4 Bactericides/Biocides 185

6.4.5 pH Control 186

6.4.6 Friction Reducers 186

6.4.7 Acid Corrosion Inhibitors 186

6.4.8 Viscosity Stabilizers 187

6.5 Acidizing 187

6.5.1 Formation Type 188

6.5.2 Formation Permeability 189

6.5.3 Operational Considerations 189

6.5.4 Environmental Management 191

References 191

7 Proppants 195

7.1 Introduction 195

7.2 Types 197

7.2.1 Silica Sand 197

7.2.2 Resin-Coated Proppant 198

7.2.3 Manufactured Ceramic Materials 199

7.2.4 Other Types 200

7.3 Properties 200

7.3.1 Downhole Scaling 201

7.3.2 Embedment 202

7.3.3 Flowback 203

7.3.4 Fracture Conductivity 204

7.3.5 Pack Rearrangement 205

7.3.6 Permeability 205

7.3.7 Production and Migration of Fines 206

7.3.8 Shape, Size, and Concentration 207

7.3.9 Stress 208

7.4 Proppant Selection and Transport 209

7.4.1 Selection 210

7.4.2 Transport 212

References 213

8 Environmental Impact 217

8.1 Introduction 217

8.2 Geological Disturbance 221

8.3 Chemicals Used in Fracturing 224

8.4 Environmental Effects 227

8.4.1 Air 230

8.4.2 Water 230

8.4.3 Surface Effects 234

8.4.4 Health Effects 239

8.4.5 Seismic Effects 239

8.5 The Future 240

8.5.1 The Process 240

8.5.2 The Environment 241

References 244

Glossary 249

Conversion Factors 283

Index 285

Authors