Cloud-Based Solution for Advanced Real-Time Fracturing Evaluation

Abstract

The ability to make real-time adjustments to hydraulic fracturing treatment design and pumping schedules leads to more-effective proppant placement and ensures every cluster delivers its full potential. There are numerous advanced methods to monitor and interpret the fracturing downhole events: microseismic analysis, distributed measurements with fiber optics, and high-frequency pressure monitoring. Advances in digital technologies allowed creating a cloud-based application combining downhole and surface data to enable real-time fracturing design adjustments from anywhere. The application uses a public cloud solutions stack to synchronize surface and downhole measurements and visualize them on the Web. All computations are performed on virtual machines that create the visualization of downhole events in milliseconds. Interpretation of distributed temperature survey (DTS) and heterodyne distributed vibration sensing (hDVS) data has enabled reliable monitoring of diversion techniques, leak detection, and improvements in well integrity and provides support for any type of well intervention. The innovation in the use of the cloud-based application comes from the combination of a novel technique for processing and visualization of high-frequency pressure monitoring (HFPM). HFPM monitoring provides a cost-effective solution for completion efficiency. The application is currently used for a novel wireline service that utilizes a fiber-optic cable for downhole temperature and acoustics measurements. Results have shown consistency and reliability in the interpretation of received data and confirmation of wellbore events, particularly in DTS and hDVS measurements. Field tests with HFPM have demonstrated that all processing and computations can be reasonably automated in a cloud to provide access to fracturing monitoring at anytime, from anywhere, and from any device. That provides excellent flexibility and means for further reducing the cost of well completions and maintenance, boosting the efficiency, and lowering cost per barrel. A technology stack of a secure public cloud makes an application cost effective and seamlessly scalable on demand. At the same time, the progress of the application does not stop with current possibilities. The innovation of cloud services, such as out-of-the-box machine learning libraries, is now available to for building applications on top of acquired data. Cloud-based architecture is showing that any digital measurements can be effectively integrated, processed, and visualized in real time for decision making while the job is running. It creates a new service level for real-time fracturing monitoring that differentiates it from previous solutions.