Multiple stage wellbore completion design

Abstract

A method for fracturing a horizontal section of a wellbore may include executing, at a first time, a first fracturing stage within a portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, where the first fracturing stage includes first fracture clusters at first locations along the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, and where the first locations are spaced apart from each other by a distance. The method may also include executing, at a second time following the first time, a second fracturing stage within the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, where the second fracturing stage includes second fracture clusters at second locations along the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, where the second locations are spaced apart from each other by the distance, and where at least some of the second locations are positioned between the first locations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for completing a horizontal section of a wellbore, the method comprising:
 executing, at a first time, a first fracturing stage within a portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, wherein the first fracturing stage comprises a first plurality of fracture clusters at a first plurality of locations along the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, and wherein the first plurality of locations are spaced apart from each other by a distance; and   executing, at a second time that proceeds the first time, a second fracturing stage within the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, wherein the second fracturing stage comprises a second plurality of fracture clusters at a second plurality of locations along the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, wherein the second plurality of locations are spaced apart from each other by the distance, and wherein at least some of the second plurality of locations are positioned between the first plurality of locations.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the distance is at least 10 feet. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore has a horizontal stress level of at least 2500 psi. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first fracturing stage is executed when an active fracturing pressure exceeds the horizontal stress level of the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore is cased. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 executing, prior to the first time, perforations at the first plurality of locations along the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the perforations are executed using a wireline tool that is inserted into the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 executing, after the first time and prior to the second time, a flushing operation within the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 executing, after the first time and prior to the second time, perforations at the second plurality of locations along the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein executing the first fracturing stage comprises pumping sand with fracturing fluid into the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 reducing, after the first time and prior to the second time, pressure within the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 executing, after the first fracturing stage is executed and before the second time, screen outs at the first plurality of locations to isolate pressures within the first plurality of fracture clusters slightly at approximately a minimum closure stress level.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second fracturing stage is executed when an active fracturing pressure exceeds the horizontal stress level and the minimum closure stress level. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 executing, at a third time, a third fracturing stage within a second portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, wherein the third fracturing stage comprises a third plurality of fracture clusters at a first plurality of locations along the second portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, and wherein the first plurality of locations are spaced apart from each other by the distance; and   executing, at a fourth time that proceeds the third time, a fourth fracturing stage within the second portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, wherein the fourth fracturing stage comprises a fourth plurality of fracture clusters at a second plurality of locations along the second portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, wherein the second plurality of locations are spaced apart from each other within the second portion by the distance, and wherein at least some of the second plurality of locations are positioned between the first plurality of locations within the second portion.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore is located uphole from the first portion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 inserting a barrier between the first portion and the second portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore after the second time and before the third time.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore have a substantially similar length. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 executing, at a third time that proceeds the second time, a third fracturing stage within the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, wherein the third fracturing stage comprises a third plurality of fracture clusters at a third plurality of locations along the portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore, wherein the third plurality of locations are spaced apart from each other by the distance, and wherein at least some of the third plurality of locations are positioned between the first plurality of locations and the second plurality of locations.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal section of the wellbore is drilled into an unconventional subterranean formation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fracture clusters and the second plurality of fracture clusters have a same number of fracture clusters.