Fracture Gradients

8.
Fracture Gradients PETE 661 Drilling Engineering Slide 1

PETE 661

Drilling Engineering
Lesson 8
Fracture Gradients
8. Fracture Gradients PETE 661 Drilling Engineering Slide 2
Prediction of Fracture Gradients
Well Planning
Theoretical Fracture Gradient Determination
Hubbert & Willis
Matthews & Kelly
Ben Eaton
Comparison of Results
Experimental Frac. Grad. Determination
Leak-off Tests
Lost Circulation
Gas Cut Mud

Read:

Applied Drilling Engineering, Ch. 6
HW # 5
Casing Design
due 10-8-04
Well Planning
Safe drilling practices require that the
following be considered when
planning a well:
Pore pressure determination
Fracture gradient determination
Casing setting depth selection
Casing design
H
2
S considerations
Contingency planning
Fig. 7.21
fracture
Formation Pressure and Matrix Stress
Given: Well depth is 14,000 ft.
Formation pore pressure expressed
in equivalent mud weight is 9.2 lb/gal.
Overburden stress is 1.00 psi/ft.
Calculate:
1. Pore pressure, psi/ft , at 14,000 ft
2. Pore pressure, psi, at 14,000 ft
3. Matrix stress, psi/ft
4. Matrix stress, psi
o + = P S
overburden pore matrix
stress = pressure + stress
(psi) (psi) (psi)
S = P +
Calculations:

1. Pore pressure gradient
= 0.433 psi/ft * 9.2/8.33 = 0.052 * 9.2
= 0.478 psi/ft
2. Pore pressure at 14,000 ft
= 0.478 psi/ft * 14,000 ft
= 6,692 psig

Depth = 14,000 ft.
Pore Pressure = 9.2 lb/gal equivalent
Overburden stress = 1.00 psi/ft.
Calculations:
3. Matrix stress gradient,
psi

psi/ft
o / D = 0.522 psi/ft
o + = P S
D D
P
D
S
or
o
+ =
( ) ft / psi 478 . 0 000 . 1
D
P
D
S
D
., e . i = =
o
Calculations:

4. Matrix stress at 14,000 ft

= 0.522 psi/ft * 14,000 ft

o = 7,308 psi
Fracture Gradient Determination
In order to avoid lost circulation while
drilling it is important to know the variation
of fracture gradient with depth.

Leak-off tests represent an experimental
approach to fracture gradient determination.
Below are listed and discussed three
approaches to calculating the fracture
gradient.
1. Hubbert & Willis:

where F = fracture gradient, psi/ft

= pore pressure gradient, psi/ft
D
P
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
D
P 2
1
3
1
F
min
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
D
P
1
2
1
F
max
2. Matthews & Kelly:

where K
i
= matrix stress coefficient
o = vertical matrix stress, psi
D
P
D
K
F
i
+
o
=
3. Ben Eaton:

where S = overburden stress, psi
= Poissons ratio
D
P
1
*
D
P S
F +
|
|
.
|
\
|

|
.
|
\
|

=
Example
A Texas Gulf Coast well has a pore pressure
gradient of 0.735 psi/ft. Well depth = 11,000 ft.

Calculate the fracture gradient in units of lb/gal
using each of the above three methods.

Summarize the results in tabular form, showing
answers, in units of lb/gal and also in psi/ft.
1. Hubbert & Willis:

The pore pressure gradient,
( )
F
1
3
1 2*0.735 0.823
psi
ft
min
= + =
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
D
2P
1
3
1
F
min
P
D
0.735
psi
ft
=
Example - Hubbert and Willis
Also,
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
lb/gal
psi/ft
0.052
psi/ft 0.823
F
min
lb/gal 15.83 F
min
=
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
D
P
1
2
1
F
max
( ) 735 . 0 1
2
1
+ =
= 0.8675 psi/ft

F
max
= 16.68 lb/gal
2. Matthews & Kelly

In this case P and D are known, may be
calculated, and is determined graphically.

(i) First, determine the pore pressure gradient.
D
K
D
P
F
i
o
+ =
o
i
K
Example
) given ( ft / psi 735 . 0
D
P
=
Example - Matthews and Kelly
(ii) Next, calculate the matrix stress.
=
=
=
=
ft , depth D
psi , pressure pore P
psi , stress matrix
psi , overburden S
o
S = P + o
o = S - P
= 1.00 * D - 0.735 * D
= 0.265 * D
= 0.265 * 11,000
o = 2,915 psi
(iii) Now determine the depth, , where,
under normally pressured conditions, the
rock matrix stress, o would be 2,915 psi.
i
D
S
n
= P
n
+ o
n
n = normal
1.00 * D
i
= 0.465 * D
i
+ 2,915
D
i
* (1 - 0.465) = 2,915
ft 449 , 5
535 . 0
915 , 2
D
i
= =
Example -
Matthews and
Kelly
(iv) Find K
i
from
the plot on the
right, for

For a south Texas
Gulf Coast well,
D
i
= 5,449 ft
K
i
= 0.685
(v) Now calculate F:
D
P
D
K
F
i
+
o
=
735 . 0
000 , 11
915 , 2 * 685 . 0
F + =
ft / psi 9165 . 0 =
gal / lb 63 . 17
052 . 0
9165 . 0
F = =
0.685
5,449

K
i
D
e
p
t
h
,

D
i

Example
Ben Eaton:
D
P
1
*
D
P S
F +
|
|
.
|
\
|

|
.
|
\
|

=
? ?
D
S
= =
Variable Overburden Stress by
Eaton
At 11,000 ft
S/D = 0.96 psi/ft
Fig. 5-5
At 11,000 ft
= 0.46
Example - Ben Eaton
From above graphs,
at 11,000 ft.:
D
P
1 D
P
D
S
F +
|
|
.
|
\
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
46 . 0 ; ft / psi 96 . 0
D
S
= =
( ) 735 . 0
46 . 0 1
46 . 0
735 . 0 96 . 0 F +
|
.
|
\
|
=
F = 0.9267 psi/ft
= 17.82 lb/gal
Summary of Results
Fracture Gradient
psi.ft lb/gal
Hubbert & Willis minimum: 0.823 15.83
Hubbert & Willis maximum: 0.868 16.68
Mathews & Kelly: 0.917 17.63
Ben Eaton: 0.927 17.82
Summary of Results
Note that all the methods take into
consideration the pore pressure gradient.
As the pore pressure increases, so does
the fracture gradient.

In the above equations, Hubbert & Willis
apparently consider only the variation in
pore pressure gradient. Matthews &
Kelly also consider the changes in rock
matrix stress coefficient, and in the
matrix stress ( K
i
and o
i
).
Summary of Results
Ben Eaton considers
variation in pore pressure gradient,
overburden stress and
Poissons ratio,

and is probably the most accurate of
the three methods. The last two
methods are actually quite similar, and
usually yield similar results.
Similarities
Ben Eaton:
D
P
1
*
D
P S
F +
|
|
.
|
\
|

|
.
|
\
|

=
Matthews and Kelly:
D
P
D
K
F
i
+
o
=
Experimental Determination of
Fracture Gradient
The leak-off test

Run and cement casing
Drill out ~ 10 ft
below the casing seat
Close the BOPs
Pump slowly and
monitor the pressure
45
80
105
120
120
120
120
120
120
40
20
Experimental Determination of
Fracture Gradient
Example:
In a leak-off test below the
casing seat at 4,000 ft, leak-off
was found to occur when the
standpipe pressure was 1,000
psi. MW = 9 lb/gal.

What is the fracture gradient?
Example
Leak-off pressure = P
S
+ AP
HYD
= 1,000 + 0.052 * 9 * 4,000
= 2,872 psi

Fracture gradient = 0.718 psi/ft

EMW = ?
ft
psi
000 , 4
872 , 2
D
P
OFF LEAK
=
13.8 lb/gal
What is Gas Cut Mud?
After drilling through a
formation containing
gas, this drilled gas
will show up in the mud
returns at the surface.

Gas cut mud is mud
containing some gas -
from any source.
Gas Cut Mud
Effect of Drilling Rate
Effect of Circulation Rate
Mud/Gas Ratio at the bottom of the Hole
Mud/Gas Ratio at the Surface
Density of Gas Cut Mud
Reduction of Bottom Hole Pressure
due to Gas Cut Mud
Safe Drilling Practices
How Critical is Gas Cut Mud?
Example Problem
Well depth = 15,000 ft
Hole size = 7 7/8
Drill pipe size = 4 1/2
Mud weight = 15 ppg
Drilling Rate = 20 ft/hr
Circ. rate = 7.0 bbl/min
How Critical is Gas Cut Mud?
Formation Properties
F 100 T
F 250 T
1.35 Z
1 Z
25% Porosity Sand
70% saturation gas Sand
S
B
B
S

Bottom-Hole
Ratio of Mud Volume to Gas Volume:
This indicates there are
1990 volumes of mud to
1 volume of gas at the
bottom of the hole.
1990
hr
bbl
0.2110
hr
bbl
420

gs 0.7 * porosity 25 . 0 *
cu.ft 61 . 5
bbl
*
hr
ft 20
in/ft 12
in
8
7
7
4
hr
min 60
*
min
bbl 7
Gas
Mud
2
= =
|
.
|
\
|
|
.
|
\
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
\
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
t
Mud
Gas
Ratio of surface volume of gas to
bottom-hole volume of gas:
This shows there are 465 volumes of gas at the
surface per volume of gas at the bottom of the hole
465
) R (710 psi)(1.35) 7 . 14 (
) R 0 psi)(1)(56 (11,700
law) (gas
T
T
Z
Z
P
P
V
V
B
S
B
S
S
B
B
S
= =
=
(PV = ZnRT)
Mud/gas Volume Ratio at the Surface:
279 . 4
465
1990
Volume Gas
Volume Mud
: surface At = =
990 , 1
Volume Gas
Volume Mud
: Bottom At =
465
Bottom at Gas
Surface at Gas
: Expansion =
Mud Density at the Surface:
So the mud weight has been cut 2.84 ppg
(from 15 to 12.16) ppg
ppg 16 . 12
1 279 . 4
ppg 0) * 1 ( ppg 15 * (4.279)

Volume
Density) ud surface)(M @ vol vol/gas (
=
+
+
=
=
Total
Mud
surf

It should be noted that in actual situations the
mud cut would probably be less because we
have assumed all gas stays in the mud-gas
mixture. A certain amount of gas will break out.

The effects of gas cut mud on the hydrostatic
head:
( )
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
=
S
S B
S S
A A S
red.gas
P
P P
ln
T C)Z (100
T Z CP
P
Mud Density at the Surface:
R re, temperatu Surface - T
factor ility compressib Surface - Z
R re, temperatu Average - T
factor ility compressib Average - Z
psi pressure, Surface - P
surface at the fluid total of % Gas - C
well of bottom at pressure c Hydrostati - P
S
S
A
A
S
B
( )
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
=
S
S B
S S
A A S
red.gas
P
P P
ln
T C)Z (100
T Z CP
P
( )
18.94%
4.279 1
100% * 1

mud of vol. gas of Vol.
100% * gas of Vol.
C

psi 11,700 ft 15000 * ppg 15 * 0.052 P
B
=
+
=
+
=
= =
Hydrostatic Pressure and C
Average T and Z
175 . 1
2
35 . 1 1
Z

635
2
560 710
T
A
A
=
+
=
=
+
= R

Reduction in BHP
psi 30.57 P

14.7
14.7 11,700
ln
560) 18.94)(1)( (100
(635) .7)(1.175) (18.94)(14
P
red.gas
red.gas
=
|
.
|
\
|
+
=
( )
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
=
S
S B
S S
A A S
red.gas
P
P P
ln
T C)Z (100
T Z CP
P
The resulting bottom hole pressure
will be
p = 11,700 - 30.57

BHP = 11,669 psi

This means the gas reduced the hydrostatic
head by only 30.57 psi!
Reduction in BHP
Conclusion
It can be seen that the surface gas cut of
approx. 3 PPG resulted in a bottom hole
pressure reduction of only 30.57 psi.

There is one other factor that reduces the
effect of gas cut mud even further and that
is the effect of drilled solids in the mud.
Drilled solids will tend to raise the overall
density of the mud.

Summary of Gas-Cut Mud Problem
At bottom:

Gas expansion:

990 , 1
rate generation gas
rate n circulatio mud
=
465
bottom at volume
surface at volume
=
At surface:

i.e. At the surface, the mud mix contains one part
of gas (by volume) for each 4.279 parts of good
mud.
279 . 4
465
990 , 1
rate n circulatio gas
n circulatio mud
= =
Density of mix
1 279 . 4
) 0 * 1 ( ) 15 * 279 . 4 (
volume total
weight total
+
+
=
=
Density of Mud at surface = 12.16 #/gal

(-2.84 lb/gal)
psi 31
P
P P
ln
T Z ) C 100 (
T Z CP
p
S
S B
S S
A A S
~
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
= A
A reduction in the mud
density at the surface by 2.84
lb/gal resulted in a reduction
in BHP of:
Note:
It is very important in any drilling operation:

To recognize the symptoms of
increasing pore pressure
To be able to estimate the magnitude
of the pore pressure

Note contd:
To know the fracture gradients of the
exposed formations
To maintain the drilling practices within
controllable limits
To keep in mind that any one symptom of
increasing pore pressure may not be
sufficient to provide the basis for
precise conclusions

Look at all the indicators...
ROP F.L.Temp ACl

-
MUD
At
d Gas Units
SH
YP
What should be done when gas
cut mud is encountered?
(1) Establish if there is any fire hazard. If
there is a fire hazard, divert flow through
mud-gas separation facilities.

(a) Notify any welder in area
(b) Notify all rig personnel of the
pending danger
(2) Determine where the gas came from.
If the casing seat fracture gradient is being
approached, and there is some concern about
raising the mud weight:

Stop drilling and circulate, and observe the
gas response. If source is drilled gas, the gas
rate will decrease.
(a) If the gas units completely return to
the original background gas, it would
probably be safe to resume drilling.

(b) If there has been ample circulation
time and the gas units do not drop back
to the original background level, but stay
at a higher value, this indicates that the
mud weight is approaching the pore
pressure and consideration should be
given to increasing the mud weight.
Establish Where did the gas
come from?

(a) Drilled gas - no increase in mud
weight is required
(b) Increasing pore pressure
- (abnormal pore pressure)
- May have to increase mud weight

Fracture Gradients

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8.

Fracture Gradients PETE 661 Drilling Engineering Slide 1

8. Fracture Gradients PETE 661 Drilling Engineering Slide 47

8. Fracture Gradients PETE 661 Drilling Engineering Slide 51

8. Fracture Gradients PETE 661 Drilling Engineering Slide 55

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