Numerical modeling of fracture-driven interactions (FDI) using a coupled hydraulic-fracturing-propagation, reservoir-flow, and geomechanics tool has been conducted. The numerical study showed that, for the basins studied, FDI and some mitigation strategies have minimal effect on long‑term parent-well productions. Parent depletion (volume and areal extent), well spacing, and child-fracture asymmetry, however, greatly affect child-well production as the result of FDI.
Introduction
Interwell FDI, also known as frac hits, has garnered recent attention given that more than 60% of new wells drilled in US unconventional reservoirs are infill drilling.
Whereas uncontrollable parameters, such as natural fractures and matrix permeability, do contribute to the effect of FDI on well production, the authors’ primary focus lies on controllable factors. Field observations have shown that tighter well spacing and smaller completion sizes tend to result in fewer negative effects on both parent- and child-well production.
