Can We Trust the Diversion Pressure as a Decision-Making Tool: Novel Technique Reveals the Truth

Abstract

Abstract Traditionally, surface pressure is the primary tool for onsite decision making during well stimulation treatments. In multi-stage wells with multiple injection points (perforation clusters) there are several available methods for diversion efficiency evaluation: differences in pumping pressure caused by pill pumping (also referred to as diversion pressure), instantaneous shut-in pressures (ISIPs) difference, and friction pressure difference. However, these techniques rely on interpretation of friction pressure or net pressure with uncertainties related to indirect measurements of the respective parameters. A high-frequency pressure monitoring (HFPM) service uses specially designed hardware and proprietary signal processing algorithms to determine the true location of downhole events. Bayesian algorithms are used to calculate probabilities of the interval’s stimulation. Effectiveness and applicability of the method were tested on several wells across major US shale plays. It was demonstrated that the industry standard surface pressure techniques are not always the best approach for the on-site decision making. Even when diversion is not clearly visible, it still may occur downhole. Conversely, a significant diversion pressure response does not necessarily mean adequate diversion. The effective application of the HFPM technique makes engineered decisions more confident during stimulation and diversion operations.