New Generation Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator

RN-GRID provides all the necessary engineering tools for hydraulic fracturing (HF) design and analysis. Hundreds of engineers, thousands of successful hydraulic fracturing treatments — in RN-GRID we have implemented the best engineering practices and all the accumulated experience of Rosneft HF specialists.

Software versions for Windows and Linux are availableInformation on the software price and purchase conditions will be provided upon requestListed in the Unified Register of Russian Programs for Electronic Computers and Databases
RN-GRID - New Generation Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator

What's new

We constantly work to improve RN-GRID, releasing new versions regularly.

Version of 04/23/2024

Version of 04/23/2024

New improvements:

  • it is now possible to import well log interpretation results from xls files;
  • an option "Divide the removed stage time between the previous and subsequent" is added into the settings so that the lines from the schedule could be removed without automatic recalculation of other schedule stages in Treatment schedule window;
  • editing lithotype colors by double-clicking on "Lithology" legend element is now available in 3D window;
  • "Collapse all" and "Expand all" items are added into in the RMB menu of most application property blocks;
  • numeric values are now copied using Ctrl+C to the current UOM without rounding and assigning UOM;
  • now there is no n' <= 2 limitation for power-law fluid rheology.
Version of 02/01/2024

Version of 02/01/2024

New improvements:

  • a prototype of a new fluid friction analysis and friction corrections are implemented to account for proppant effects;
  • it is now possible to select one of two interpolation types when splicing curves: linear or by the nearest point (allows splicing lithocolumns more correctly);
  • during a geomechanical model construction using a lithocolumn, it is now possible to select whether to combine successive layers of the same lithotype or not (allows specifying a geomechanical model with the number of layers as in the original well logging);
  • tabular data with the main calculation results can now be copied to the clipboard and exported to Excel;
  • the fluid friction table for a given pipe diameter can now be recalculated according to the correlation from SPE-122917 article (the correlation allowing friction pressure drop calculation using the rheological parameters n' and k').
Version of 12/12/2023

Version of 12/12/2023

New improvements:

  • it is now possible to import geosteering data from RN-HORIZONT+ with the trajectory creation for the pilot directional well and the main horizontal well;
  • hydraulic fracturing designs can now be created for multi-stage hydraulic fracturing ports with automatic correction of the geomechanical model by depth according to geosteering data from RN-HORIZONT+;
  • mass flow rates are now displayed along with volumetric flow rates in Pay zones window;
  • in Pay zones window, the dimensionless productivity index is now calculated taking into account the flow regime coefficient dependence on the reservoir pressure type (on the boundary or average reservoir) and the flow regime (steady-state, pseudo steady-state);
  • propped fracture height and half-length have been added into the tabular data in Calculation window;
  • controlled parameters have been added to Design expertise window and the corresponding report block.
Version of 10/26/2023

Version of 10/26/2023

We added:

  • export to las columns with lithotype codes into Geomechanics and leakoffs table;
  • varying of fluids, proppants and pay zone parameters into Optimization module;
  • estimation of pressure out and its duration, as well as fracture volume and conductivity within pay zones, into Optimization module.
Version of 06/30/2023

Version of 06/30/2023

We added:

  • pressure and fluid efficiency parameters for the main and diagnostic injections into the table data in Calculation window.
Version of 04/03/2023

Version of 04/03/2023

New improvements:

  • functions for calculating fluid flow rate using slurry flow rate and vice versa are added into treatment data calculator;
  • axis selection item for linking lines is added into auxiliary line RMB menu;
  • azimuth type is refined and magnetic deviation field is added in Construction window;
  • an option of removing proppant concentration at the "Pad" stage is added into Treatment schedule window.

Besides:

  • magnetic azimuth instead of geographic is now exported into the report;
  • the inflow regime and pressure type (reservoir or contour) are exported into the report (well productivity section).
Version of 05/27/2022

Version of 05/27/2022

We added:

  • flow rate calculation by cumulative volume/mass curve on the treatment data graph;
  • graphs of fracture upper/lower boundaries vs time into frac design results;
  • a menu to select a multiplier for the size of proppant "balls" displayed on some graphs into the frac design results;
  • pressure parameters from minifrac analysis into the frac design report.

Besides:

  • an option is added to update curve styles during treatment data re-import;
  • it is now possible to save curve display settings for each graph individually in multi-window graph display.
Version of 12/12/2021

Version of 12/12/2021

New improvements:

  • it is now possible to adjust font for cursor position captions on graphs in the minifrac analysis;
  • a new diff function (difference between adjacent array elements) retaining the input data size;
  • it is now possible to enter magnetic declination in the trajectory properties in the project tree;
  • a wizard is now used to import from div;
  • two proppant embedment models are implemented: constant and proppant compressive stress dependent;
  • in Construction window, there are now individual MD and TVD columns for top, bottom and wall thickness in casing and tubing tables;
  • it is now possible to split the interlayers into smaller layers of the specified MD when creating the geomechanical model using the lithologic column;
  • it is now possible to select an inflow regime (steady state, pseudo-steady state) and reservoir pressure (boundary, average) in Pay zones window;
  • two SRV estimations are added into Pay zones window;
  • the map of pay zone leakoff penetration depth is added into Calculation window;
  • in Calculation window, the statistics table has now been moved to the results graph area and it allows changing UOM;
  • new pipes can now be created.

Besides:

  • functions of converting clean and slurry flow rates to each other are added into the treatment data calculator;
  • well log interpretation results can now be exported not only to MD, but also to TVD and TVDSS;
  • it is now possible to import several lithologic columns and other discrete curves from one file when importing well log interpretation results;
  • in Perforation window, depth can now be checked when adding a new perforated interval.
Version of 12/01/2021

Version of 12/01/2021

We added:

  • managing the removal of repeated measurements;
  • saving the previously selected file encoding during treatment data re-import;
  • downhole gauge visualization into the well graph on Construction page;
  • an item for importing well log interpretation data into the well context menu;
  • selecting the frequency of exporting the productivity table into the frac design report;
  • tooltips into some columns of "Tubing" and "Restrictions" tables on Construction page;
  • maps of proppant residual permeability and fracture residual conductivity.
Version of 10/08/2021

Version of 10/08/2021

We added:

  • enabling the option of copying the data folder when creating a frac design copy;
  • quick creation of a FPDB element copy via the element context menu item.

Besides:

  • to make it convenient, the current name is now substituted when renaming graph templates or importing files;
  • displaying average in area and effective conductivity and permeability is added into the fracture properties table of the frac design report.
Version of 09/03/2021

Version of 09/03/2021

We added:

  • a new friction analysis;
  • a new functionality - "Well logging operation";
  • express assessment of fracturing economic efficiency;
  • an option to display productive zones on maps;

and over 30 improvements more.

Version of 06/15/2021

Version of 06/15/2021

We added:

  • extended report on minifrac results (friction data);
  • switching K/K ' in fluids database;
  • checking incorrect points at the trajectory beginning.

Besides:

  • working with files of gst and manograph bottomhole pressure gauges has been improved;
  • a two-digit year determination and displaying column properties with absolute time have been fixed in treatment data import;
  • 3D graph visualization is fixed;
  • removing well log curves from the stress profile has been fixed;
  • exporting a report to Excel based on multivariate modeling results has been fixed.
Version of 04/20/2021

Version of 04/20/2021

We added:

  • a new optimized core;
  • convenient import of complete and incomplete date-time into treatment data files;
  • control station data import from RN-VISOR;
  • overflush warnings into «Treatment schedule» window;
  • productivity index calculation for gas wells;
  • creating synthetic vertical wells and their logging for ports of horizontal wells with multistage hydraulic fracturing (it can also be used for synthetic TVD logging import);
  • calculating bottomhole pressure at any depth, inside and outside the tubing (location moved to «Construction» window);
  • selecting items displayed into the 3D window.

Besides, we fixed saving the settings that require the application restart.

Version of 02/05/2021

Version of 02/05/2021

We added:

  • multiple graph sets visualization in one window;
  • unified reporting on multistage hydraulic fracturing;
  • oil production calculation for individual zones, considering each zone water cut and reservoir pressure;
  • an individual «3D-window» to visualize all wells and fractures with display settings saved;
  • highlighting of imported data columns according to the type;
  • express calculation of friction pressure losses for fluids from the database;
  • editing the schedule stage according to the proppant mass;
  • visual editor of layers during lithotype identification.
Version of 10/19/2020

Version of 10/19/2020

We added:

  • a new optimized core;
  • the ability to import the data of pressure, temperature, etc., considering the formatted time from LAS, Manograph, GST format files.
Version of 09/25/2020

Version of 09/25/2020

We added:

  • overlapping construction segments input and visualization;
  • data curve statistics calculation for volume intervals;
  • selected data curves export to a single file;
  • fracture production data export to the file and the clipboard;
  • useful UOM converter;
  • new "g/m3" and "mg/m3" UOM for chemical mass concentration.
Version of 07/13/2020

Version of 07/13/2020

We added:

  • a new optimized core;
  • one more way to combine treatment data curves in time using the curve selection window;
  • interval length visualization along with the volumes in treatment data;
  • the possibility to set points separately on flow rate and pressure in step-tests;
  • setting up limits and axes names for the treatment schedule graph;
  • linear transformation buttons for all the tables in «Model Options» window;
  • default selecting of a pressure type preferred (wellhead or bottomhole) for new test injection analyses.

Besides, the following improvements have been implemented:

  • a convenient lithotypes selection when editing the geomechanical model manually;
  • measured depth and perforation interval height editing in a multi-design well log plot.
Version of 05/12/2020

Version of 05/12/2020

We added:

  • a new optimized simulation core;
  • modeling options expertise on all the designs in a well;
  • easy surface-to-bottomhole proppant concentration calculation;
  • two-way arrows on the graphs, 90 degrees rotatable with Shift;
  • buttons for test injection analyses into the graph toolbar.

Besides, we improved:

  • importing files with formatted time;
  • 3d visualization of the coordinate grid and lithology;
  • the format of the acid hydraulic fracturing report.
Version of 04/16/2020

Version of 04/16/2020

We added:

  • Progress bar while importing monospaced text files;
  • Automatic recognition of UOM percent while importing.

We improved:

  • TVD calculation in the diameter restriction table while adding a new segment to the casing table;
  • Well logs curve style in the simulation results window;
  • Algorithm of stress profile coloring according to the lithotypes colors for few layers models in the simulation results window.
Version of 03/11/2020

Version of 03/11/2020

We added:

  • a new convenient well logs stitching module;
  • pre-calculation of avaliable memory and disk checks.

We improved:

  • proppant tracking and 3D proppant placement visualization algorithms;
  • test injections and frac jobs reporting.

Besides, we significantly reduced application memory footprint and implemented 3D-animation export.

Version of 12/26/2019

Version of 12/26/2019

We added:

  • new icons, dark side theme, curve antialiasing;
  • interpreted stratification model import with lithotypes encoding;
  • multi-design well log plot for multi-stage fracturing jobs;
  • convenient interactive visual stratification tools for geomechanic model;
  • value and delta visualisation for geomechanic parameters visual editing;
  • automatic stage recognition and flush volume calculations;
  • multi-perforation fracture initiation option.
Version of 11/27/2019

Version of 11/27/2019

We added:

  • automatic division of treatment data into stages;
  • gas well fracture productivity calculation;
  • quick creation of accumulated curves without calculator;
  • customizable combined well head and well bottom treatment data export;
  • customizable export video quality and fps.
Version of 10/04/2019

Version of 10/04/2019

We added:

  • new volume (barrels) and mass rate (tons per minute) units;
  • new construction columns for TVD bottom and casing/tubing segment volumes.

We improved:

  • simulation grid management for user-defined grids;
  • construction restrictments for selective packers.

Version of 08/30/2019

Version of 08/30/2019

We added:

  • non-uniform grid simulations into the simulation core;
  • the wide range of algorithms into the optimization module: Nelder-Mead, Differential evolution, Particle swarm, and multidimensional quadratic Response-Surface.

Besides:

  • the treatment data graph has been revised significantly;
  • the usability of axes (range locks introduced) has been improved.

Version of 07/15/2019

Version of 07/15/2019

We improved:

  • the treatment data graph;
  • hydraulic fracturing design module.

Besides:

  • the completely rewritten user guide is available from the Help menu;
  • the functionality of the templates has been significantly revised;
  • the reporting functionality has been expanded.
Version of 07/01/2019

Version of 07/01/2019

We improved:

  • the treatment data import module;
  • speed and usability of the application log.

Besides:

  • the hydraulic fracturing design module has new functionality for displaying temperature maps and calculating productivity;
  • several new convenient features have been implemented.

Version of 06/03/2019

Version of 06/03/2019

We improved:

  • the fracturing design optimization module;
  • the interface of the treatment data graphs by adding"hot keys" for scaling the axes separately;
  • the quality of visualization.

Besised, the simulation of the fracture height in some special cases has been refined.

Version of 04/29/2019

Version of 04/29/2019

We introduced new functionalities:

  • to export treatment data from several files, taking shifts and processing into account;
  • to export time-dependent parameters for all simulated models.

Besides, we enhanced camera capabilities in 3D graphics and improved speed for large number of models.

Version of 03/28/2019

Version of 03/28/2019

We added new functionalities:

  • running design simulations on all physical processor cores;
  • selecting a 3D map of proppant concentration to display over the 3D fracture surface.

Besides, data import from MANOGRAPH binary files with an irregular time step has been implemented.

Physical and Mathematical Model

Planar3D Model:

Is the most advanced hydraulic fracturing model used in engineering practice.

Has a 3D elasticity submodel and a 2D hydrodynamiс submodel.

Produces a fully coupled solution of the problems of elasticity, hydrodynamics and proppant transport.

Describes adequately the fracture growth through stressed layers, especially in the case of a substantially inhomogeneous horizontal stress distribution over the depth, and provides correct modeling of proppant distribution over the fracture area.

Benefits

Physically Reliable Planar3D Numerical Model

Most hydraulic fracturing simulators available on the market and used by engineers make use of a simplified physical and mathematical models that simply do not feasibly simulate real fractures of complex shape. Our implementation of the Planar3D model describes most of the important effects of fracture growth and proppant transport.

Layered Geomechanical Model

The bedding model, which determines the geomechanical properties of all the layers, can be quickly created automatically based on a given well log and lithotype cutoffs or built interactively by an engineer who, in accordance with his reservoir understanding, places layer after layer, using the well log as a sketch. The list of geomechanical properties to be filled depends on the user-selected fluid leakoff model and the use of thermal or acid options.

Multiple Fluids and Proppants

RN-GRID allows the use of several fluids and proppants in one treatment schedule. Unlike other simulation software, the proppants in RN-GRID are tracked separately, so they can mix, and fluids with different rheology are allowed to interact in a physically adequate manner, forming the so-called viscous fingers. Each proppant is simulated and visualized in accordance with its density and average particle size.

Settling, Acceleration, Dragging, Bridging and Mobilization of Proppant

RN-GRID describes most of the phenomena associated with the transport of proppant along a fracture in physically adequate way, including: proppant settling in a low-viscosity fluid, proppant acceleration and dragging in a fluid flow, proppant bridging in narrow places of the fracture, and re-mobilization of proppant with the susequent fracture opening. Unlike other hydraulic fracturing simulators, RN-GRID does not use global bridging, simulating the condition of bridging and mobilization in each cell separately.

Time and Temperature Dependent Rheology

Rheological properties of fracturing fluids are stored in an extensive database of fluids and proppants. Effective slurry viscosity depends not only on proppant concentration, but also on time and temperature.

Acid and Acid-Proppant Fracturing

RN-GRID allows simulating acid and acid-proppant hydraulic fracturing. Treatment schedule fluids are simply replaced with specific acids from the database, and the properties of geomechanical layers describe their interaction with the acid. The simulated acid-etched width map is used to simulate the acid-induced fracture conductivity with specific correlations.

Typical Design and Analysis of Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment

Creation of HF Design

Creation of HF Design

The creation and matching of HF designs is carried out using convenient tools that automate most of the routine operations:

  • Well trajectory and surveys are loaded automatically from most file formats.
  • Reservoir layering model and a lithological column is produced from standard LAS files and user-defined and user-controlled lithotype bounding values.
  • Geomechanical properties of layers can be filled manually, according to a well log data with automatic averaging over a given layered model or automatically according to lithological column and user templates.
  • Planned or actual treatment schedule is filled manually, or from a user template or with an interactive process of defining stage after stage on a realtime plot for each fluid and proppant.
  • Convenient graphs make it easy to compare simulated and actual data, and convenient editing tools for the geomechanics and leakoff tables make it easy to adapt the geomechanical model to the actual results of mini-fracturing analysis.
Test Injection Analysis

Test Injection Analysis

RN-GRID implements most standard diagnostic injection analyses, accepted in the industry in a most convenient way. We tried to make sure that engineers had to perform as few unnecessary actions as possible with their typical injection analyses workflow. Our supported analyses include:

  • Minifrac Analysis
  • Step Rate Test Analysis (SRT)
  • Step Down Test Analysis (SDT)
  • Horner Analysis
  • Nolte Analysis
  • Nolte-Smith Analysis
  • Log-Log Analysis
Treatment Data Import

Treatment Data Import

Our treatment data import module allows to import actual treatment data from various text and binary file formats conveniently and quickly. Import settings templates allow to specify data format settings for a specific hydraulic fracturing fleet once and load data from that frac fleet with one click of a mouse button. The visualization and express analysis module allows to mark up imported data, calculate volumes for arbitrary intervals, curve slopes, and redesign curves using built-in or arbitrary Python scripts to solve typical supervising tasks.

Interesting Examples of HF Modeling in RN-GRID

Multistage Fracturing Treatment

With multistage fracturing treatments, common today, each stage may use its own treatment schedule. Stages are simulated one by one, however, each fracture "senses" the previous stages and grows through an altered stress field.

Pulse Injection Simulation (Slug Frac)

Pulse injection of proppant with a different configuration of perforated intervals in the well is simulated in this use case. Various effects of tip screenout and proppant re-mobilization, proppant settling and viscous fingers due to an increase in the slurry viscosity from proppant concentration are clearly visible.

The Formation of "Viscous Fingers"

The stage of injecting a linear gel (low-viscosity fluid) into a fracture filled with a cross-linked gel (high-viscosity fluid) is simulated in this use case, which leads to the “viscous fingers” effect. The color shows the “time” field that has elapsed since the liquid entered the fracture.

Proppant Transport

A cross-linked gel is pumped with alternating light, heavy and again light proppants with grains of different diameters.
The gel degrades to a state of water within 100 minutes, and the volume fraction of heavy proppant is less than the volume fraction of the light one.
The redistribution of proppants with their interpenetration and gravitational instability formation is observed.

Simulation Speed

RN-GRID simulator is based on the Planar3D model, which is very demanding of computing resources, so we work constantly on the effectiveness of the program code, even though our implementation is already one of the fastest on the market.

Speedup

Speedup

Over the last year, we have significantly accelerated the work of the simulator, thus for small models the speed doubled, and for large models it increased by almost 5 times.

Support for Multi-Core Systems

Support for Multi-Core Systems

All modern processors are multi-core, so for us one of the main tasks is to increase the efficiency of RN-GRID when working on such systems.

Testing was conducted on a laptop with a six-core Intel Core I7-8750H processor.

Real time example of simulation run

This is a screen capture of a 220500 lbs (100 t) job with shut in, run time = 30 sec.

(PC: Intel i7 8700 3.2 GHz, 8 Gb RAM. Grid x = 520 ft, grid z = 390 ft, dx = 13 ft, dz = 6.5 ft, total cells = 2400)

Training

The productivity of hydraulic fracturing engineers' work depends on how efficiently they use their main working tool: the hydraulic fracturing simulator. In order to facilitate the implementation of RN-GRID in work processes and increase the efficiency of engineers while using it, regular training seminars and workshops are held.

Training is performed:

Training is performed:

  • on a regular basis and by request,
  • in Ufa and on contractor's location,
  • for production and service companies,
  • for domestic and international companies,
  • in Russian and English.
Goal and Audience

Goal and Audience

The workshop is devoted to the theoretical foundations of hydraulic fracturing and software skills of using RN-GRID for all tasks of hydraulic fracturing workflow.
The target audience consists of engineers of oil and gas producing companies and hydraulic fracturing contractors, production intensification departments, reservoir development departments and supervisory services. The workshop usually requires practical and theoretical knowledge of hydraulic fracturing simulation.

Workshop Structure

Workshop Structure

A typical seminar takes three days, during which specialists, under the guidance of an experienced trainer, gain working skills in RN-GRID. The course includes the following sections:

  • physical and mathematical model of the hydraulic fracturing process used inRN-GRID
  • designing hydraulic fracturing operations on real wells
  • treatment data import and express analysis for supervisory purposes
  • diagnostic fracture injection analyses
  • matching of diagnostic and main treatments
  • treatment reporting
Workshop History

Workshop History

Over the last five years:

  • 23+ training workshops held in Moscow, Ufa, Tyumen, Nizhnevartovsk and Nefteyugansk
  • 260+ participants gained or improved their skills inRN-GRID

Our Clients

The main user of RN-GRID simulator is Rosneft Oil Company — more than 200 licenses have been acquired.

Since March 2018, Rosneft's internal fracturing service — "RN-GRP" LLC — switched to 100% use of RN-GRID.

Since the beginning of implementation, 33,000+ successful hydraulic fracturing treatments have been conducted with a full design cycle performed in RN-GRID simulator.

50+ oil&gas and service companies, besides Rosneft subsidiaries, became RN-GRID users.