Complex fracturing using a straddle packer in a horizontal wellbore

摘要

A method of inducing fracture complexity within a fracturing interval of a subterranean formation is provided. The method comprises defining a stress anisotropy-altering dimension, providing a straddle-packer assembly to alter a stress anisotropy of a fracturing interval, based on defining the stress anisotropy-altering dimension, isolating a first fracturing interval of the subterranean formation with the straddle-packer assembly, inducing a fracture in the first fracturing interval, isolating a second fracturing interval of the subterranean formation with the straddle-packer assembly, inducing a fracture in the second fracturing interval, wherein fracturing the first and second fracturing intervals alters the stress anisotropy within a third fracturing interval, isolating the third fracturing interval with the straddle-packer assembly, and inducing a fracture in the third fracturing interval. The straddle-packer assembly comprises a first packer, an injection port sub-assembly above the first packer, and a second packer above the injection port sub-assembly.

主权项

1. A method of inducing fracture complexity within a second fracturing interval of a subterranean formation, wherein the second fracturing interval is located horizontally adjacent to a first fracturing interval and horizontally adjacent to a third fracturing interval, the method comprising:
defining a horizontal stress anisotropy-altering dimension, wherein the horizontal stress anisotropy-altering dimension comprises a spacing between two or more fracturing intervals, a net fracture extension pressure, a wellbore orientation, or combinations thereof; altering the horizontal stress anisotropy in accordance with the horizontal stress anisotropy-altering dimension within the second fracturing interval by decreasing the horizontal stress anisotropy within the second fracturing interval, reversing the orientation of the stress anisotropy within the second fracturing interval, or both, wherein altering the horizontal stress anisotropy comprises introducing a fracture into the first fracturing interval and introducing a fracture into the third fracturing interval, wherein introducing the fracture into the first fracturing interval comprises:
providing a first route of fluid communication to the first fracturing interval;communicating a fluid to the first fracturing interval via the first route of fluid communication; andceasing fluid communication via the first route of fluid communication, and wherein introducing the fracture into the third fracturing interval comprises:
providing a third route of fluid communication to the third fracturing interval;communicating a fluid to the third fracturing interval via the third route of fluid communication; andceasing fluid communication via the third route of fluid communication; and after the horizontal stress anisotropy of the second zone has been altered, introducing a fracture into the second fracturing interval.