%0 Journal Article
%@ 1354-0793
%A Nelson, Emma J.
%A Chipperfield, Simon T.
%A Hillis, Richard R.
%A Gilbert, John
%A McGowen, Jim
%A Australian School of Petroleum, The University of Adelaide, Australia,,
%A Santos Ltd, Australia,
%A Australian School of Petroleum, The University of Adelaide, Australia,,
%A Santos Ltd, Australia,
%A Halliburton Australia,,
%D 2007
%F epos:1786
%I Geological Society
%J Petroleum Geoscience
%K image logs, rock strength, fracture stimulation, in situ stress
%P 3-16
%T Using geological information to optimize fracture stimulation practices in the Cooper Basin, Australia
%U https://episodesplatform.eu/eprints/1786/
%V 13
%X Fracture stimulation treatments of tight formations in the Cooper  Basin can be associated with hydraulic fracture complexity that results in abnormally  high treating pressures, low proppant placement and poor economic success.  Pre-completion (image log and rock testing data) and post-completion data (fracture  stimulation pressure decline plots) were reviewed in 13 treatment zones from the  Cooper Basin. Rock strength, image log and stimulation data were available for  seven of those zones.  From this analysis, a distinct relationship between rock properties (shear and  tensile rock strength), geological weaknesses (natural fractures and other fabrics)  and fracture stimulation complexity (net pressure, near-wellbore pressure loss and  pressure-dependent leak-off) was observed. It is proposed that high in situ stress  (Shmin�0.8 psi ft�1  ; 18.1 MPa km�1  ), a large contrast in tensile strength between  intact rock (T>1015 psi (7 MPa)) and pre-existing weaknesses in the reservoir (T0)  promote the propagation of fracturing fluid along multiple fracture pathways,  and thus abnormally high treating pressures, low proppant placement and poor  economic success during fracture stimulation treatments in the Cooper Basin.  The methodology used to predict in situ stress and hydraulic fracture complexity  herein presents a potential generic approach that can be used in similar basins where  hydraulic fracture complexity is a problem or where conventional stimulation  practices are unsuccessful.