Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Well stimulation

Abstract

"Multi-stage hydraulic fracture completions in horizontal wells have facilitated economic development of natural gas from unconventional and tight gas reservoirs.Industry has relied on two horizontal multi-stage completion technologies: cemented and perforated liner or Plug-and-perf method and Openhole Sleeve Multi-stage method. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, one of the most important questions is which method yields better gas production? Computation fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful tool for solving complex fluid flow problems. In well completion design, CFD plays a significant role aiding the completion engineers on making decision on well completion methods. In this study, a three-dimensional CFD model of a horizontal well with a single transverse fracture has been constructed to compare Plug-and-perf versus Openhole sleeve multi-state completion methods using steady state natural gas production and no formation damage. The results are shown in a relationship of dimensionless fracture conductivity and fold of increase. Parametric studies have been performed varying horizontal permeability ratio, penetration ratio and propped fracture width. Considering only the effect from the completion method and without the presence of the natural fractures, results of this study indicate a well completed with Openhole Sleeve Multi-stage method does produce more than a well completed with the Plug-and-perf method, but the difference in production is substantially less than previous publications indicate. The results from this study were compared with the previous study using the two-dimensional models by Augustine (2011)"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Dunn-Norman, Shari

Committee Member(s)

Flori, Ralph E.
Wei, Mingzhen

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Petroleum Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2013

Pagination

xvii, 152 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 201-206).

Rights

© 2013 Viriyah Theppornprapakorn, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Computational fluid dynamics
Oil wells -- Hydraulic fracturing
Oil well completion
Oil fields -- Production methods

Thesis Number

T 10422

Electronic OCLC #

870652903

Download

Share

 
COinS