Fracture detection using crosswell and single well surveys

Majer, Ernest L.; Peterson, John; Daley, Thomas M.; Kaelin, Bruno; Myer, Larry R.; Queen, John; D'Onfro, P. S.; Rizer, William D.

doi:10.1190/1.1444160

Cited by 48 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Some of the most comprehensive field studies of fractures have been carried out at the Conoco Borehole test facility (e.g., Queen and Riser, 1990;Enru et al, 1991;Majer et al, 1997). Their mapped set of fracures is also consistent with permeability anisotropy (Queen and Rizer, 1990), and with the region NE-SW trending maximum horizontal compression (Zoback and Zoback, 1981).…”

Section: Shear Wave Splitting Travel Time Differencesmentioning

confidence: 82%

Multi-Attribute Seismic/Rock Physics Approach to Characterizing Fractured Reservoirs

Mavko¹

2000

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JUSTIFICATIONDuring Phase I, we performed our rock physics, geologic, and seismic feasibility analysis for fracture characterization. We addressed the problem of seismic fracture detection and characterization, in general, and specifically at our field site in West Texas. In this analysis, we were able to implement a number of fracture modeling procedures and to quantitatively assess the theoretical detectability of reservoir fractures. This allowed us to identify which of the several seismic attributes are most likely to be useful for fracture detection at the site. One of our results showed that Thomsen's parameters should be very useful for indicating gas-filled fractures at the site. We also outlined Monte Carlo approaches that can be applied for feasibility analysis at any site.Prior to our study, most seismic fracture detection methods have focused on qualitatively detecting seismic anisotropy. While anisotropy is critical, when used alone it has left us with interpretation ambiguities and nonuniqueness. During Phase 1 of this project, we found that by statistically integrating geologic and seismic information we can develop nontraditional methods for fracture detection. For example, we found that quantifying the correlations between fracture occurrence and depositional environment, and between fracture spacing and layer thickness, we allow us to decrease the uncertainty of fracture interpretation using seismic anisotropy. One of the reasons for this is that different depositional environments (and rock facies) give rise to differences in their seismic signatures (impedances, velocities, and Poisson's ratio.Phase II will allow us to validate and improve these methodologies by carrying out a smallscale field pilot study. Taking methods to the field, always allows us to make them more applicable. In the field, we will be able to more accurately assess the uncertainties introduced by measurement noise, source and receiver response, coupling, and near surface acoustic properties. We can then more realistically develop ways to reduce the uncertainty, as well as to identify which aspects of the geology and fracture distribution we can characterize most robustly. The small-scale field study will also help us to establish empirical fracture parameters that are needed as inputs to rock physics models. For example, ALL of the effective medium models for fracture-induced anisotropy require fracture stiffness as inputs (these are sometimes characterized as moduli or aspect ratios). There is no realistic way to assign these values DOE FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT ON PHASE 4 theoretically, so being able to calibrate them in a small pilot will give us the critical inputs we need for interpreting the full scale seismic survey in phase III. Finally, the data from the pilot will allow us to add an aspect of "data mining" to the study. In Phase I, we have exploited our best theoretical tools, but the real field data will give us the opportunity to discover other, unpredicted, signatures of fractures that might prove valuable.Our a...

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Section: Shear Wave Splitting Travel Time Differencesmentioning

confidence: 82%

Multi-Attribute Seismic/Rock Physics Approach to Characterizing Fractured Reservoirs

Mavko¹

2000

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“…Seismic acquisition methods that utilize borehole receivers are advantageous because of their proximity to the fractures and the ability to record higher frequency waves. These two factors have opened the possibility for imaging discrete fractures using VSP, cross-well, and single-well acquisition geometries (Meadows & Winterstein, 1994;Majer et al 1997;Coates et al 1998;Cosma et al 2001;Place et al 2011). …”

Section: Conclusion Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deep Borehole Field Test Research Activities at LBNL

Dobson¹,

Tsang²,

Kneafsey³

et al. 2016

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SUMMARYThe goal of the U.S. Department of Energy Used Fuel Disposition's (UFD) Deep Borehole Field Test is to drill two 5 km large-diameter boreholes: a characterization borehole with a bottom-hole diameter of 8.5 inches and a field test borehole with a bottom-hole diameter of 17 inches. These boreholes will be used to demonstrate the ability to drill such holes in crystalline rocks, effectively characterize the bedrock repository system using geophysical, geochemical, and hydrological techniques, and emplace and retrieve test waste packages. These studies will be used to test the deep borehole disposal concept, which requires a hydrologically isolated environment characterized by low permeability, stable fluid density, reducing fluid chemistry conditions, and an effective borehole seal.During FY16, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientists conducted a number of research studies to support the UFD Deep Borehole Field Test effort. This work included providing supporting data for the Los Alamos National Laboratory geologic framework model for the proposed deep borehole site, conducting an analog study using an extensive suite of geoscience data and samples from a deep (2.5 km) research borehole in Sweden, conducting laboratory experiments and coupled process modeling related to borehole seals, and developing a suite of potential techniques that could be applied to the characterization and monitoring of the deep borehole environment. The results of these studies are presented in this report.

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“…The source is made up of piezoelectric-ceramic (lead zirconate titanate) cylindrical rings epoxied together and wired for positive and negative voltage on the inner and outer surfaces. This type of source has been used in many seismic crosswell surveys (e.g., Majer et al (1997), Daley et al (2004)) and is known to be repeatable and dependable. The tests reported here used a single-cycle square wave generated by a source waveform generator (in this case, a programmable analog signal generator), which also sends a trigger signal to the recording system.…”

Section: Acquisition Hardwarementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data acquisition for continuous crosswell monitoring builds on development of crosswell seismic work of the previous 10-20 years, which was usually designed for tomographic imaging (e.g., Daley et al (2004), Majer et al (1997), Rector III (1995)), but more recently has been used for time-lapse monitoring (e.g., Vasco (2004), Hoversten et al (2003)). Three major data acquisition components are involved: seismic source, seismic sensor, and the recording system.…”

Section: Acquisition Hardwarementioning

confidence: 99%