Unconventional/complex reservoirs

Crossdipole Sonic Data Analyzed To Target Stack Pay in the Permian Basin

This paper presents a work flow that has been applied to crossdipole sonic data acquired in a vertical pilot well drilled in the Permian Basin.

Schematic of a lateral producer well
Schematic of a lateral producer well parallel to the X1-axis aligned with the maximum horizontal stress direction; and another lateral well parallel to the X2-axis aligned with the minimum horizontal stress direction in a TIV formation.

The preferred placement of a producer well in unconventional reservoirs is based on available information about the presence of natural fractures and formation stresses. Identifying the depth intervals with natural fractures and the relative magnitudes of the maximum and minimum horizontal stresses enables placement of a producer well that will support effective hydraulic fractures. In the complete paper, the authors apply a work flow to crossdipole sonic data acquired in a vertical pilot well drilled in the Permian Basin.

Introduction

The authors describe processing, analysis, and interpretation of sonic data acquired in a vertical pilot well with the goal of identifying optimal depth intervals and azimuths for drilling a lateral producer well with a potential for enhanced hydrocarbon productivity. The preferred placement of a lateral producer well requires drilling through an oil-rich layer that exhibits higher fracturability.

Theory

Borehole sonic data consist of monopole headwave slownesses and borehole Stoneley dispersions together with dipole headwave slownesses and borehole flexural dispersions.

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