PDCM wanted to optimize horizontal well completions and productivity

To complete its Marcellus Shale horizontal wells simply and cost-effectively, PDC Mountaineer, like most operators, typically uses geometric perforation designs. With this technique, perforation clusters are placed at equidistant points along the lateral. However, microseismic monitoring showed that this type of stage selection often distributed hydraulic fracturing treatments unevenly. The fracture treatments propogated to the lowest-stress zones, leaving the majority of perforations understimulated. To gain a deeper understanding of the reservoir and improve reserve recovery, PDCM partnered with Schlumberger to identify low-stress intervals, develop more effective completion designs, and ultimately improve well economics.

Sonic Scanner acoustic platform and Mangrove engineered stimulation design optimized completions

Schlumberger deployed its Sonic Scanner acoustic scanning tool on wireline to map mechanical rock properties. The tool’s advanced borehole acoustic measurements were loaded into the Petrel software platform and interpreted using the Mangrove engineered stimulation design. Once processed, the critical well information, including in situ stress, lithology, and Young’s modulus, enabled PDCM and Schlumberger to engineer custom staging and perforating designs. This ensured more consistent stimulation along the entire lateral, resulting in lower breakdown and treating pressures.

“When we’ve used the Schlumberger Sonic Scanner tool to identify and place the staged intervals based on like-rock completion, we have never screened out,” said Jacob Caplan, Senior Completions Engineer, PDC Mountaineer. “We’ve also had a better handle on the breakdown pressures to be expected, further reducing our risk of screening out. The screen-out rate was 35% when we didn’t use Sonic Scanner tool, and on average, each screenout costs PDCM USD 300,000.”