In addition, we offer a written “A to Z Guide” on using ResFrac, and a history matching cheat sheet.

Scope of Course:

ResFrac is the only commercial simulator that simulates hydraulic fracturing, geomechanics, and reservoir processes in a single simulation.

This course targets new users of ResFrac or those who haven’t been formally trained. We cover the basics of geomechanical and fracturing theory, though attendees should have prior familiarity with hydraulic fracturing. Attendees of the ResFrac Fundamentals Course will learn high level geomechanical and hydraulic fracturing theory, build multiwell, multibench simulation models, and discuss history matching techniques and skills.

Course Materials

If you would like to request a copy of course materials so that you can follow along, please fill out the short form at the end of this page.

ResFrac Fundamentals Simulation Training Course:

Module 1: ResFrac Introduction

Instructor: Garrett Fowler

This module is an introduction to the ResFrac Fundamentals course. We’ll discuss the scope of the course and what participants can expect.

Module 2: The ResFrac Conceptual Approach

Instructor: Dr. Mark McClure

In this module, we go over the ResFrac conceptual approach. Topics covered: direct, in-situ observations of hydraulic fracturing; integration into a numerical simulator; small scale complexity and constitutive relations; problems with the hypothesis of a ‘complex fracture network’ or a ‘volumetric region of shear stimulation’.

Module 3: Processes that Determine Hydraulic Fracture Geometry

Instructor: Dr. Mark McClure

In this module, we cover processes that determine hydraulic fracture geometry: toughness, leakoff, viscous pressure drop, stress shadowing, limited-entry, and stress layering.

Module 4: Key Physical Processes for Shale Fracturing and Production

Instructor: Dr. Mark McClure

Mark details key physical processes for shale fracturing and production. He covers fraction initiation, proppant transport, non-Newtonian fluids, fluid transport in a fracture, wellbore transport, and production.

Module 5: The Numerical Approach in ResFrac

Instructor: Dr. Mark McClure

In this module, we cover the overall numerical approach in ResFrac, alternative numerical approaches (and why we didn’t use them), and specialized numerical techniques used in ResFrac.

Module 6: How to Build a Simulation Part One

Instructor: Garrett Fowler

In this module, we import a simulation in ResFrac and do a deep dive into the ResFrac visualization tool.

Module 7: How to Build a Simulation Part Two

Instructor: Garrett Fowler

In this module, we begin set up of our initial model in ResFrac. We’ll go over the startup, static model and initial conditions, and curve set panels.

Module 8:

Instructor: Garrett Fowler

In this module, we spend a few minutes reviewing curve sets and PDP and then progress into importing well trajectories, setting up perforations, and setting up of mesh and fluid options in the ResFrac model.

Module 9: History Matching Workflow Overview and Tools

Instructor: Garrett Fowler

.

In Module 9, we spend more time in the software–setting up a ResFrac model. We deep dive into fluid model options, fracture options, proppants, solutes, well controls, and spend a few minutes discussing the warnings that pop up when you press validate and best practices to address them.

Click here for a model calibration cheat sheet with ResFrac best practices.

Module 10: History Matching Worked Example and Tips

Instructor: Garrett Fowler

This video covers history matching with an overview of the history matching process and discusses the tools and tactics that will help you in your history matching in ResFrac. We preview the homework assignment for course participants who have a ResFrac license.

Module 11: Wrap up and Homework Assignment

Instructor: Garrett Fowler

For this final module in the ResFrac Fundamentals course, we go through a worked history match example, using the simulations we’ve set up throughout the course. We show how we modify relative permeability as well as global perm and fracture conductivity using intuitions from production plots as well as RTA plots. This particular example focuses on the production history match.