SPE 59690

Characterization of the Dynamic Fracture Transport Properties in a Naturally Fractured

Reservoir
Richard O. Baker, SPE, Ruben A. Contreras, SPE, and Danuta Sztukowski, Epic Consulting Services Ltd.

Copyright 2000, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

fracture systems are very stress sensitive in the Spraberry

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2000 SPE Permian Basin Oil and Gas
Recovery Conference held in Midland, Texas, 2123 March 2000.

formation,

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
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permeability increasing at high injection rates (in addition,

Abstract

with

fractures

opening

and

the

effective

reservoir flow simulation has also confirmed that permeability

is stress sensitive).

Introduction
Field Characteristics

In characterizing and modeling the performance of naturally

The Spraberry Trend of West Texas is a naturally fractured

fractured reservoirs (NFR), fracture length and fracture

reservoir (NFR). A map of the Spraberry area is shown in

connectivity (permeability) are often assumed to be constant.

Figure 1. This Permian age formation is divided into the

A number of field tests done on Spraberry Trend wells suggest

Upper, Middle and Lower formations (see type log depicted in

this assumption is not always true for NFR.

Figure 2). The Upper Spraberry, at a depth of approximately

7200 ft, is further divided into six units of which the 1U and

Pressure transient tests and decline analyses have been used to

5U are productive. The rock is characterized by low matrix

determine permeability, skin, fracture connectivity and

permeability (less than 0.1 mD, often ~ 0.05 mD) and a 10%

average reservoir pressure for the Spraberry Trend reservoir of

average porosity.

West Texas. It has been hypothesized by L. Elkins1 that

approximately 30 ft.

The combined 1U and 5U net pay is

fractures open and close due to pressure effects. In order to

better understand these effects and fluid movement pathways,

Effective permeability is essentially equal to fracture

a number of specialized pressure transient tests have been

permeability in the Spraberry reservoir, since the matrix

conducted and analyzed in the E.T. ODaniel Unit of

permeability is so low. Dyes and Johnston2 report a range of 2

Spraberry. This included constant pressure decline rate tests,

to 183 mD oil permeability, based on build up tests done in the

build up tests, step-rate tests, falloff tests and a multi-well

Driver unit in the early 1950s. These tests were done during

interference test, carried out so as to minimize the risk of

the initial depletion of the field. Previous interference testing

induced fractures which can cause reduced sweep efficiency

shows ontrend (NE-SW) effective permeability of 108 md and

and fluid losses to other non pay zones. Results indicate that

offtrend (NW-SE) permeability of 8 md 3 . Our current work

indicates an effective water permeability of about 2 to 14 mD

BAKER, RICHARD O., CONTRERAS, RUBEN A., SZTUKOWSKI, DANUTA

SPE 59690

in the E.T. ODaniel Lease, but values of effective

One Possible EOR Process: CO2 Flooding

permeability vary widely as shown in Table 1.

The success of a CO2 miscible flood in Spraberry will be

highly dependent on proper reservoir characterization of this

Fracture orientation was studied by means of several

4

low matrix permeability, but highly fractured rock. In order to

horizontal well cores and field performance . In general, the

best characterize the reservoir, it is important to try to narrow

accepted main fracture orientation is N50E. However, other

uncertainty in parameters such as fracture location, fracture

non-orthogonal fracture sets are also present. Outcrop studies

orientation, fracture extent and effective permeability.

indicate natural fracture lengths of about 25 ft.

Prior to the implementation of the CO2 flood, several single

Historical Perspective

well and multi-well pressure tests were conducted in a 60 acre

The Spraberry Trend was first developed in the 1950s.

pilot area of the E.T. ODaniel Lease (Figure 3). Through

Although many wells had initial production rates of more than

analyses of these pressure transient tests, we can now state

500

several highly relevant conclusions about hydraulic fracturing,

BOPD,

the

well

productivity

rapidly

decreased.

Waterflooding commenced in 1956.

waterflood management and fracture characterization in this

field. Among these is the key conclusion that fractures are

Generally, waterflooding in Spraberry has not been successful

very stress sensitive, meaning that injection pressures at

due to the reservoirs low matrix permeability and natural

reasonable injection rates significantly influence the extent of

fracture characteristics, as well as a lack of pattern

fractures as well as the effective permeability. Water injection

confinement, low injection well density, weak imbibition

widens existing fracture systems and connects

forces and low reservoir pressures during startup of

discontinuous natural fractures.

otherwise

waterflood. In fact, compared to analogous NFR fields such

as Weyburn/Midale (16 to 25% incremental waterflood

Field Observations

recovery), the Spraberry experiences only a 2 to 5%

incremental recovery through waterflooding4 .

The one

The following pressure interference tests and decline analyses

exception to the generally poor waterflood recovery is the E.T.

were done in the pilot area of the E.T. ODaniel Lease:

ODaniel Lease in which total recovery has exceeded 25% and

1) Advanced Decline Analysis

thus incremental waterflood recovery exceeds 15%.

Production data for several vertical wells in the Spraberry
For the entire Spraberry Trend, to date, only about 10% of the

Trend were analyzed using an Advanced Decline Analysis

10 MMMbbls OOIP have been recovered. Despite the fact

technique in which decline characteristics were tied to

that many wells have been abandoned due to low productivity

reservoir parameters such as effective permeability and

as a result of fracture depletion, the large remaining oil in

fracture half-length. The effective permeability ranged from

place represents a tremendous EOR target. Due to the success

0.17 to 0.9 mD, while the fracture half-length varied from 600

of CO2 flooding the naturally fractured Midale reservoir, it

to 1300 ft. Peak production rates ranged from 20 to 90 BOPD.

was proposed that a CO2 flood may be successful

Comparitive results are in Table 1.

in

Spraberry.
2) Pressure Buildup Tests on Wells 38, 39 and 40

SPE 59690CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DYNAMIC FRACTURE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN A NATURALLY FRACTURED RESERVOIR

In contrast to early buildup tests, later tests show a marked

Note that this water permeability is markedly higher than the

decrease in oil permeability. Simulation studies show that a

water or oil permeability as measured on buildup testing. This

combination of relative permeability and stress effects are

difference is greater than expected from relative permeability

responsible for low oil permeability. Wells 38, 39 and 40

considerations. Once the SRT was completed and shutin, fluid

serve as the observation wells for the multi-well interference

dissipation caused the pressure around the wellbore to

test, so buildup tests were done prior to injection in the pulse

decrease below fracture extension pressure and in turn the

wells. The tests showed that the effective permeability ranges

fractures closed, reducing the permeability of the near

from 0.01 to 0.03 mD, with skins of 4.5 to 5.6. The average

wellbore system.

reservoir pressure was approximately 1300 psia. Wellbore

storage was found to dominate the early time data and

5) Multi-well Interference Testing with Analysis during

calculations showed that pressure transients traveled only

Well 47 Injection

approximately 50 ft away from each well. No classic dual

The interference test consists of sequential injection of 2000

porosity behavior was noted, probably because of wellbore

BWPD in wells 47, 45, 25 and 48. Water is injected for 4 to 5

storage effects. These results are similar to other recent

weeks in one well at a time, with a field stabilization period (2

buildup test analyses performed in the Spraberry area .

to 3 weeks) between each injection period. Figure 7 shows the

bottomhole pressure profile at each of the four observation

3) Step Rate Test on Wells 46 and 47

wells (38, 39, 40 and 46) for the data available. Figure 8 is a

The step rate test (SRT) was conducted on well 47 prior to the

summary map of interference tests. Table 2 show lag times

multi-well interference test, with injection rates from 144

and pressure response for interference tests

BWPD stepping up to 2160 BWPD. Primarily, the SRT is

used

to

identify

propagation/extension

the

fracture

pressure.

The

breakdown
fracture

and/or

Although strong NE-SW pressure response is observed from

extension

well pair 45 to 46, substantial response is also seen in a north

pressure was calculated to be 3140 psia, while the breakdown

south direction, from well pairs 47 to 40 and 48 to 38.

pressure was found to be 3017 psia for well 477 . As shown in

Figures 4 and 4a, there is good correspondence between the

The data was analyzed primarily using a method described by

fracture extension pressure and the instantaneous shut in

Earlougher9 , in which it is assumed that a single fracture,

pressure (ISIP). Figures 5 and 6 show that the fracture

penetrating the full pay, exists directly between the injection

extension/parting pressure was 2861 and 3231 for wells 46

and observation wells.

The diagnostic plot used for this

and 47, respectively. Earloughers technique yields a fracture

method is the Square Root Plot (as shown for Well 40 in

gradient pressure of 0.40 to 0.45 psi/ft, which is close to

Figure 9), in which pressure difference versus square root of

hydrostatic pressure.

time is plotted. The pressure difference refers to the difference

between observed field pressure and an extrapolated pressure

4) Pre-interference Falloff Test

had the system remained at equilibrium with no injection. The

A falloff test was conducted after the SRT to determine

slope calculated from Figure 9 can be used to find the fracture

effective permeability and waterflood induced fracture

half-length through the following equation:

characteristics. The falloff test showed an effective water

4.064 q w B w
kx =
m vf h

permeability anywhere from 2.6 to 14 mD, with a fracture

half-length of 73 ft (assuming full fracture height of 31 ft).

2
f

(1)
c t
2

BAKER, RICHARD O., CONTRERAS, RUBEN A., SZTUKOWSKI, DANUTA

SPE 59690

observations at Spraberry, the permeability derived from these

This technique concludes that a fracture of half-length 275 to

tests demonstrates the orientations of all fractures are not

385 ft exists between wells 40 and 47 (depending on how the

necessarily N50E 1,4,5

slope mvf is drawn). However, the minimum fracture halflength would have to be the interwell distance, or 660 ft (see

6) Post-interference Falloff Test on Well 47

Figure 3) to intersect wells 40 and 47. Keeping the fracture

The falloff test was conducted immediately following the

capacity constant by using the same slope from Figure 9 used

interference test in well 47. The data is shown in Figure 9.

to calculate the 275 to 385 ft half-length, the fracture height

Two models were considered: 1) infinite fracture conductivity

must be 14 to 20 ft (i.e., less than full formation thickness of

and 2) composite. The effective permeability concluded from

31 ft) for a 660 ft fracture half-length.

both models was 5 mD. The infinite fracture conductivity

model showed a fracture half-length of 120 to 160 ft. Note

An alternate analysis technique is that based on the type

that the fracture length was larger than the initial falloff test.

curves prepared by Raghavan et al10 . This technique assumes

Also, based on Lees 11 definition of effective fracture half-

that a single, vertical fracture intersects the injector wellbore

length as a function of skin (Equation 2), the effective fracture

located in an infinite, isotropic or anisotropic porous medium.

half-length was calculated to be 150 ft, consistent with the

This approach allows us to calculate the fracture orientation,

falloff test results.

fracture half-length and effective permeability. The technique

x
s = ln f
2rw

is different from Earloughers approach in that it does not

(2)

assume that the fracture is directly oriented between injector

and observation well. By analyzing the responses at wells 39
and 40, it was concluded that the fracture half-length varies
anywhere from 1200 to 1900 ft, with an effective permeability
of 0.5 to 1 mD. The orientation was 15 offset from wells 40-

Both the pre- and post-falloff tests indicate negative skins

despite that the well had never been hydraulically fractured or
acidized. A fact that the negative skin is typical of wells
completed in naturally fractured reservoirs 12 .

47 (towards well 39).

Discussion
Subsequent interference testing was done with injectors 45, 25
and 48, and with pressure observation at wells 38, 39 and 40.
The trends of data were very similar to that of the well 47
interference test as shown on Table 2 and Figure 7. In all
those tests, there was an initial lag in response, then a definite
pressure response. After injection was terminated, a more
rapid response occurred at the producer communicating with
the injector. This occurred even though there was an initial
delay at the same well.

These conclusions are based on

examining the magnitude of pressure response, the rate of

pressure rise and the lag time.

As with similar previous

pressure and well tests interpretations, as well as outcrop

Based on the pressure transient tests summarized above,

several important observations and conclusions can be made.
Most importantly, we discuss:

The stress sensitive nature of fractures/matrix in the

Spraberry Trend.

The impact and consequences stress sensitive fractures

have on waterflooding a naturally fractured reservoir
(NFR).

SPE 59690CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DYNAMIC FRACTURE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN A NATURALLY FRACTURED RESERVOIR

Stress Sensitive Fractures

buildup tests, the bottomhole pressures at wells 38, 39 and 40

The conclusions about fracture half-length and effective

did not exceed about 1000 psia. This pressure is much lower

permeability obtained from the pressure transient tests

than fracture extension pressure, so rather than being dilated

indicate that fractures are very stress and pressure sensitive.

and connected, the fractures are probably constricted and

unconnected.

Because of this, the matrix is the dominant

The breakdown fracture pressure at Spraberry or in any

system through which pressure transients can travel, and hence

NFR is primarily a fracture initiation pressure through

an effective matrix (water/oil) permeability such as the 0.01 to

unfractured rock. In unstimulated, unfractured wells the

0.03 mD measured here is actually more representative of the

fracture breakdown pressure is substantially higher than

matrix permeability. Note that constant pressure tests (decline

the fracture propagation pressure. In Spraberrys case,

rate analysis) showed lower permeabilities of 0.2 to 0.9 md.

however, it is fracture initiation through drilling damage

Yet during the interference and falloff tests, the tests

near the wellbore that allows for connection of natural

determined effective matrix permeability was much higher -

fractures. In this case the clearly developed hydraulic

- in the 5 md range. It is probable that injection pressure

fracture is due to water injection. Even after the water

opened both offtrend and ontrend fractures, leading to higher

injection is stopped, the mechanically closed fracture will

effective permeability. This phenomenon is similar as noted

have high fracture conductivity due to mismatched

by Exxon in their 1970 analysis of the Spraberry Midkiff

fracture surfaces and formation particles propping open

Unit 4 .

the fractures.
Impacts of Waterflooding
The step rate test (Figures 4 and 4a) showed that the formation

We have observed the effects that high injection rates and

breakdown pressure occurred at 3017 psia when injection rates

pressures have on the effective permeability and fracture

were at 200 bbl/day. This pressure is reached during the first

characteristics in the Spraberry reservoir. We have also seen

injection rate, and subsequent higher injection rates merely

the effects of poorly connected systems on measurements of

extend the fracture length. Note the decrease in pressure after

effective

the breakdown pressure is reached, despite the constant

observations lead us to conclude that the injection pressures

injection rate. Figures 4 and 4a also clearly show that, when

and rates present during a waterflood will have significant

the injection rate increased from 1000 bbl/d to 2200 bbl/d (a

effects on the fracture half-lengths and permeabilities

120% increase), the injection pressure rose by only 30 psi. As

measured.

permeability

during

buildup

tests.

These

described earlier, this is due to the opening and connecting of

natural fractures. Secondary fracturing occurs when primary

The SRT and pre-interference falloff test analyses have shown

fractures cross secondary fracture offtrend systems as shown

that an effective permeability of 2.6 to 14 mD is expected. At

in Figure 11.

Therefore, the fluid can penetrate relatively

lower injection rates, the effective permeability was 2.6 md;

deeply into the ontrend (NE-SW) and offtrend (NW-SE)

this is representative of the falloff test. Once the pressure falls

natural fractures when the bottomhole injection pressure

below the fracture extension pressure, the fractures begin to

gradients are close to hydrostatic gradient (0.43 psi/ft).

close and hence a relatively small fracture half-length of 73 ft

is measured during the pre-interference falloff test. The 14 mD

The results of the buildup/falloff tests further substantiate the

permeability is representative of the latter portions of the SRT

stress sensitive nature of Spraberry fractures.

at higher injection rates.

During the

BAKER, RICHARD O., CONTRERAS, RUBEN A., SZTUKOWSKI, DANUTA

permeability

is

SPE 59690

governed

primarily

matrix

Once injection is resumed as in the interference test with 2000

permeability. The matrix permeability is generally in

BWPD in well 47 for 5 weeks, the fractures, already partly

the range of 0.01 to 0.1 mD.

dilated and susceptible to connection and extension, are

further able to grow. Earloughers Square Root plot technique

4)

Generally, the Spraberry formations parting pressure

showed a 14 ft high, 660 ft long fracture. This is based on the

(opening and closing pressure) is in the range of 2900

2.6 mD effective permeability measured from the SRT. These

to 3200 psia. Continued waterflooding at pressures

values show that with lengthy injection, fractures can

near that range open up and connect short, regional

significantly grow and increase in capacity.

fractures.

The fracture gradient is generally quite

close to hydrostatic pressure gradient.

This lengthening of fractures is shown in comparing lag time
of response to start of injection compared to lag time of

5)

Long term water injection does create very long

response to shutin of injection. In actual fact, as shown in

fracture systems in which water can move very fast.

Figure 5 and Table 1, there is a delay between the time that

However, many shorter fractures also interconnect to

injection starts in a particular well and the lag time at which

form a well-connected, extended fracture system.

the pressure starts to increase rapidly and significantly. For

Once water injection is stopped, fractures can close

example, observation well 40 experiences a 10 day delay

and disconnect to some degree.

during well 47 injection, while observation well 39

experiences a 4 day delay during well 45 injection.
Conversely, the response to shutin of injection has no delay.

Conclusions

Nomenclature

Bw = water formation volume factor (rb/stb)

ct = total compressibility (psi-1)

In summary, we can make the following conclusions regarding

h = fracture height (ft)

hydraulic fracturing and fracture characteristics in the

k = permeability (mD)

Spraberry reservoir:

mv f= slope from Square Root Plot (psi/hr1/2 )

q w = water injection rate (Bbl/d)

1)

Assuming a constant permeability for this reservoir

rw = wellbore radius (ft)

leads to very poor reservoir description.

s = skin
xf = fracture half-length (ft)

2)

Fractures are definitely stress sensitive.

At

reasonably high injection rates, fractures open up and

the effective permeability of the system is in the 2 to

w = water viscosity (cp)

15 mD range. The fracture permeability is what is

= porosity

dominating the analysis of matrix permeability.

3)

Greek Symbols

During production or in low pressure areas, effective

SPE 59690CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DYNAMIC FRACTURE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN A NATURALLY FRACTURED RESERVOIR

6)

Barba, R.E.: "Optimizing Hydraulic-Fracture Length in the

Spraberry Trend," SPE Formation Evaluation, September 1989.

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to show our appreciation to the
Spraberry CO2 pilot team for their enthusiasm and lively
discussions. We would especially like to thank Paul
McDonald and David Schechter. In addition we recognize
the spirit of Lincoln Elkins in pioneering many of the practical
techniques used today in NFR. Also thanks are extended to the
Epic staff and Eric Denbina.

7)

Fekete Associates Inc.: Fast Well Test User Manual, 1989.

8)

Earlougher, R.C.: Advances in Well Test Analysis,

Monograph Vol. 5, pp. 87-88, 1977.

9)

Earlougher, R.C.: Advances in Well Test Analysis,

Monograph Vol. 5, pp. 151-152, 1977.

10) Raghavan, R., Uraiet, A., Thomas, G.W.: Determination of the

Orientation of a Vertical Fracture by Interference Tests, SPE
5845, 1977.
11) Lee, J.: Well Testing, SPE Textbook Series, Vol. 1, p. 34,

References

1982.
1)

2)

Elkins, L.F. and Skov, A.M.: "Cyclic Water Flooding the

12) Gringarten, A.C.: "Interpretation of Tests in Fissured and

Spraberry Utilizes End Effects to Increase Oil Production

Multilayered Reservoirs with Dual Porosity Behaviors: Theory

Rate," JPT, August 1963.

and Practice," JPT, April 1984.

Dyes, A.B. and Johnston, O.C.: Spraberry Permeability from

Build up Curve Analyses, AIME Vol. 198, 1953.

3)

Elkins, L.F. and Skov, A.M.: "Determination of Fracture

Orientation from Pressure Interference," Trans, AIME (1960).
219, 301.

4)

Schechter, D.S., McDonald, P., Sheffield, T. and Baker, R.:

"Reservoir Characterization and CO2 Pilot Design in the
Naturally Fractured Spraberry Trend Area," SPE paper 35469,
presented at the SPE Permian Basin Oil and Gas Recovery
Conference, Midland, Texas, March 27 29, 1999.

5)

Malmanger, E.M.,: "Statistical Analysis and Simulation of

Stress Sensitive Natural Fracture Networks," Master of Science
in Petroleum Engineering, New Mexico Institute of Mining and
Technology, Socorro, NM, March 1997

Table 1: Summary of Recent Spraberry Permeability Analyses

TEST
Initial buildup tests
on wells 37 to 40

Constant pressure
(decline analysis)
Step rate tests on
well 47

PERMEABILITY
MEASURED ( md)
0.01 to 0.03

0.2 to 0.9

2.6 to 14

COMMENT
Believed to reflect only matrix permeability (closely
conforms to core stress and initial water saturated
corrected matrix permeability measurements).
Sample areas near wellbore of producer with
partially closed fractures (rinv ~ 50ft).
Reflects average effective permeability of both
natural fractures and matrix 1,4
Higher injection rates have higher effective
permeability. In other words, higher injection rates
were matched by higher effective permeability.

BAKER, RICHARD O., CONTRERAS, RUBEN A., SZTUKOWSKI, DANUTA

Pre-interference
falloff test on well
47
Interference test
Post-interference
analysis falloff test

SPE 59690

2.6

Reflects average effective permeability of partially

extended natural fractures and .

Very high

5.0

Well pairs show long fracture lengths that are

injection volume dependent.
Reflects average effective permeability of partially
extended natural fractures and matrix.

Table 2: Spraberry Interference Tests Results

Well Pair
Injector
Observer
47
38
47
39
47
40

Time Lag from Start Inj. to

First Response (days)

27
10

P (psi)
Nil
250
1600

Time Lag from End Inj. to First

Response (days)

4
0

45
45
45
45

38
39
40
46

4
4

425
425
Nil
700

4
3

N/A

25
25
25

38
39
40

13
13

Nil
300
300

5
4

48
48
48

38
39
40

5
13

1200
100
Nil

3
10

SPE 59690 CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DYNAMIC FRACTURE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN A NATURALLY FRACTURED RESERVOIR

Martin Co

Howard Co

Germania

Midland Co

Glasscock Co

ODaniel

Shackelford

Preston

Midkiff

Driver

N Pembrook

Exxon
Pembrook

Merchant

Exxon
Sherrod
Aldwell

Benedum

Upton Co

Reagan Co

Figure 1:Map of Units Local to Midkiff and E.T. O'Daniel

10

BAKER, RICHARD O., CONTRERAS, RUBEN A., SZTUKOWSKI, DANUTA

Figure 2: Petrophysical Analysis

SPE 59690

SPE 59690 CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DYNAMIC FRACTURE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN A NATURALLY FRACTURED RESERVOIR

Figure 3: Section 4 of the E.T. O'Daniel Lease

(Pilot Area = 60 acres, Total Area = 1 sq. mile

Breakdown Pressure
3017 psi

2500

Pressure (psi)

3000
Fracture propagation
pressure 3140 psi

2500

Pressure
falls off due
to higher
permeability
near
wellbore

2000
1500

2000

Instantaneous shut-in
pressure (ISIP)
or
Fracture closure = Fracture
propagation pressure

1500

1000

1000
500
500
0

Water Injection Rate (BWPD)

3500

0
0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Time (hours)

Figure 4: Well 47 Step Rate Test Profiles showing breakdown pressure, fracture propagation pressure and fracture
closure (instantaneous shutin pressure)

11

12

BAKER, RICHARD O., CONTRERAS, RUBEN A., SZTUKOWSKI, DANUTA

SPE 59690

Pressure vs. Time

Well #47
3500

2500

2000

30 psi pressure increase

Pressure (psi)

1500

3000
Fracture propagation pressure
3140 psi

Instantaneous shut-in pressure (ISIP)

or
Fracture closure = Fracture propagation pressure
1000

Water Injection Rate (bbl/d)

Good correspondence of fracture propagation pressure

500

2500

0
2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

Time (hours)

Figure 4a: Zoom in of last half of Step Rate Test from Figure 4

Injection Pressure (BHP,

psi)

Well 46 Step Rate Test

3400
3200
3000
2800
2600

Parting Pressure: 2861 psi

2400
2200
2000
0

500

1000

1500

2000

Injection Rate (BWPD)

Figure 5: Well 46 Earlougher Step-Rate-Test- Analysis

2500

SPE 59690 CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DYNAMIC FRACTURE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN A NATURALLY FRACTURED RESERVOIR

13

Injection Pressure (BHP,

psi)

Well 47 Step Rate Test

3400
3200
3000
Parting Pressure: 3231psi
2800
2600
2400
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Injection Rate (BWPD)

Figure 6: Well 47 Earlougher Step-Rate-Test- Analysis

E.T. O'Daniel Pilot Producers

Bottomhole Pressure Buildup During Pulse Test
3000
Stop Inj. in #47
2500

Start Inj. in #47

Stop Inj. in #45

Start Inj. in #45

Stop Inj. in #25

Start Inj. in #25

Stop Inj. in #48

Start Inj. in #48

Pressure (psig)

2000
Well
Well
Well
Well

1500

1000

500

0
0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

Elapsed Time (days)

Figure 7: Bottomhole Pressures at each of the Observation Wells

225

250

38
39
40
46

BAKER, RICHARD O., CONTRERAS, RUBEN A., SZTUKOWSKI, DANUTA

Figure 8: Map of Communication Path

1600

1400
1200

Pressure Difference (psi)

14

Slope = m v f
1000

800

600
400

200

0
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Sqrt(Time, hours) since start of Injection of Interference Test

Figure 9: Well 40 Square-Root Plot for Earlougher, Direct-Fracture Analysis

SPE 59690

SPE 59690 CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DYNAMIC FRACTURE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN A NATURALLY FRACTURED RESERVOIR

3500

Bottom hole Pressure (psia)

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Time (hours)

Figure 10: Well 47 Post-interference Falloff Test

Natural Fracture Trends

Well 47

Offtrend fractures induced by

water injection
Water and pressure movement

Well 40

Figure 11: Direct Fracture Causes Pressure Response at Well 40

15