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SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

DOI: 10.2118/145463-ms

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Integrating Fracture Diagnostics and Engineering Data in the Marcellus Shale

Proceedings article published in 2011 by Michael J. Mayerhofer, Neil Alan Stegent, James O. Barth, Kevin M. Ryan
This paper was not found in any repository; the policy of its publisher is unknown or unclear.
This paper was not found in any repository; the policy of its publisher is unknown or unclear.

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Abstract

Abstract This paper presents results from a group of Marcellus shale horizontal wells. The wells were completed in sequential order with preplanned fracture and reservoir diagnostics to better understand completion and stimulation efficiency and drainage patterns given a certain well spacing in the Marcellus Shale. Insights were gained by integrating microseismic fracture mapping, diagnostic fracture injection tests (DFITs), downhole pressure gauges, post-frac pressure transient analysis, nontoxic chemical tracer and production data. Microseismic fracture mapping was performed during the completion of two offset horizontal wells. Since the two wells were completed sequentially, it was possible to deploy downhole pressure gauges in one well while the offset well was being completed. This procedure allowed for the unique opportunity to monitor potential communication between the two wells and correlate this with the overlap of microseismic activity. The gauge was also used to monitor the initial post-frac buildup in that well. A second buildup test was conducted after approximately 5 months of production. The integration of various engineering data leads to interesting conclusions with respect to effective fracture length, correlation of microseismic events with actual hydraulic fracture communication, and production interference. These insights provide important information for optimizing infill drilling, well placement, and fracture completion strategies in the Marcellus shale.