Good Tests Cost Money, Bad Tests Cost More - A Critical Review of DFIT and Analysis Gone Wrong

Abstract

Abstract Analysis of mini-frac or, as commonly referred to in North America, Diagnostic Fracture Injection Tests (DFITs), have traditionally been the sub-discipline of completion & hydraulic fracture stimulation engineers. Conducting such tests has direct and indirect costs resulting from the test itself and the extended time required for the pressure falloff, that delays the completion of the well. The benefits must therefore outweigh the costs if the test is to be justified. The value is evident as these tests are performed regularly around the world as it is one of only a few processes that can help quantify within the same test both geomechanical properties and reservoir performance drivers. The authors will present examples and lessons learned from regions around the world. In addition, the availability of a large quantity of public, high-quality data from oil & gas operators in Western Canada operating in shale and ultra-tight formations enable an assessment of the successes and failures of wellbore completions, reservoir types, and operator procedures. This treasure-trove of data will help completion engineers regardless of their basin of operations to overcome one of industries challenging questions "did the test achieve its objectives."