Identify areas to perforate

Geometrically designed completion strategies are implemented under the assumption that there are no variations in stimulation parameters along the length of the lateral. The result is often characterized by low perforation efficiency and marginally acceptable well economics. In an effort to improve production, an operator looked to an engineered solution which accounts for variability along the lateral, improving completion quality by minimizing stress contrast within each stage, while also targeting the highest reservoir quality.

Create a geomodel to improve well placement

Schlumberger used the Completion Advisor module to create an engineered completion design to optimize staging and perforation cluster placement. Once the design was implemented, the Flow Scanner logging system was used to evaluate the results. Based on these measurements, an eXpandBG software geomodel was used to assess well and stage placement within a stratigraphic and structural framework, as well as to further understand production results. When stages were observed to be completely out of zone, this information was archived for use in future stimulation designs.

Stimulation results

The engineered completion resulted in a 65% reduction in stress contrast across perforation clusters and a 200–300% increase in average production per stage. After completion, a geomodel was constructed to understand why a number of stages still did not exhibit production. The geomodel demonstrated the well was not placed as expected using total gamma rays during the drilling process. Fault blocks were identified, and it was observed that the nonproductive stages were situated within the graben, well above the intended zone. By correlating the eXpandBG software model and the production results, the operator was able to reassess well placement practices and evaluate strategies for effectively stimulating all stages, as well as utilize the model as a predictive tool in tailoring future stimulation designs.