Figure 1: Micro-seismic data corroborating with Fiber Optic Interference Data
When dealing with hydraulically fractured wells and highly dense well spacing it is key to understand what is the proper well spacing to use for full field development. Operators space wells differently with little guidance from data which could lead to
In this case study, distributed fiber optics (DFO) was acquired in three of the eight wells on a Chevron pad. In addition, there was a robust formation evaluation that was performed including vertical and lateral logging suites, micro-seismic, conventional core
The orange and yellow dots
Figure 2 shows an acoustical differential plot that depicts the high and low intensity zones. This data will allow for a client to understand interference between two wells at a cluster level.
Figure 2: Acoustic data showing interference between wells
Figure 3: Well thieving between well A and B
Figure 3 shows that the heel is very well connected while the rest of the well is moderately connected. As seen in Figure 3, the production profile when well B is turned off is a more intense picture assuring the operator that their wells are too closely spaced.
It can be concluded that thieving from well to well was apparent. The client adjusted their well spacing from 8 to 6 wells per pad and saw little to no production declines. With overwhelming evidence that the wells were too closely spaced Chevron could make an informative decision to cut costs without sacrificing production. As a result, a decision to drop from 8 wells per pad to 6 wells per pad was reinforced to reduce cost and maximize hydrocarbon recovery.