Pressure Sink Mitigation

Project Summary

Subsurface Dynamics was tasked with determining the optimal Pressure Sink Mitigation (PSM) strategy and its impact on fracture growth in a depleted reservoir.

Scope of Work

Using proprietary data from the client, Subsurface Dynamics history matched production from existing wells to create a pressure-depleted grid. Fracture modeling was then performed on the depleted grid for a pair of infill child wells. SSD then investigated the impact re-pressurizing the parent wells would have on child well fracture growth. Scenarios tested included defensive frac injection, re-frac of the parent wells, and preloading parent wells with varying injection volumes.

Result

• PSM protected parent wells from detrimental frac hits.

• PSM allowed fracs to have more growth into virgin reservoir as less energy was lost to the depleted zones.

• Frac height growth and the propped area were significantly improved by up to 25%.

• Modeled production from the child wells increased by 10%.