Simulation of Dynamic Stimulation of Wells by Pressure Pulsing

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A majority of Canada's 1.5 million water wells4 and +200,000 producing oil and gas wells would benefit from in increase in production rate. Stimulation is used to improve fluid flow in under-performing reservoirs. Wavefront Technology Solutions (WFT) created the unique stimulation technology WaveAxe, which is used in the energy sector to increase production of hydrocarbons and in the environmental sector for remediation. Whereas standard stimulations are slow and steady, WaveAxe generates dynamic pressure pulses which mobilize inertia forces in both the fluid and in the rock causing pores to expand and the rock mass to fragment - resulting in superior permeability and production. However, successful application of WaveAxe requires careful tuning of process variables to achieve synchronization of the complex waves generated in both the fluid and the rock mass; otherwise, the treatment may fail. To meet the needs of its domestic and international clients, WTS, desires to develop a framework to quickly determine optimal process parameters that maximize treatment effectiveness. The project is divided into four key objectives: (1) Development WaveAxe model and integration into hydraulic fracture simulator, (2) dimensionless analysis, (3) parameter study, and (4) development of design charts. This research will provide a more complete understanding of the complex multiphysics of the reservoir response to dynamic stimulation and enable the rapid design of treatments for a wider range of field conditions. These results are important for WTS and for the decision-making process of companies interested in using this technology in Canada and internationally. To increase creativity and innovation in this research project, consideration of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core principles for the research team. The project will fund one Post-doctoral fellow who will receive training in computational mechanics and industry practises. In addition, they will be supported by mentoring programs offered through Women in Engineering and the Glow Centre.