Integrating Fracture Mapping Technologies to Optimize Stimulations in the Barnett Shale

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractA large hydraulic fracture diagnostic project was undertaken in the summer of 2001, which integrated fracture diagnostic technologies including tiltmeter (surface and downhole) and microseismic mapping. The extensive data gathered resulted in a much clearer understanding of the highly complex fracture behavior in the Barnett Shale of North Texas. The detailed fracture mapping results allowed construction of a calibrated 3-D fracture simulator that better reflects the observed mechanics of fracturing in this fractured-shale reservoir. More than just simple calibration was required.

Shale gas and non-aqueous fracturing fluids: Opportunities and challenges for supercritical CO2

“…Slickwater is a low-viscosity water that is able to generate narrow fractures and more complex, multi-orthogonal fracture networks [57]. This enhanced fracturing is principally due to the lower viscosity of the water.…”

“…Slickwater is widely used in the shale gas industry and is believed to produce more complex fractures than ''normal'' water [57][58][59]. Slickwater is a low-viscosity water that is able to generate narrow fractures and more complex, multi-orthogonal fracture networks [57].…”

Fracture stimulation fundamentals

“…The best way to establish the geomechanical basis of fracture design is to couple the material balance offered by net treating pressure matching with the fracture simulator using the fracture dimensions measured through micro-seismic mapping. It has been shown in numerous studies (Mayerhoffer et al, 2000;Britt et al, 2000;and Fisher et al, 2002) that this combined approach yields a calibrated basis of design which can be used to optimize fracture stimulations even in horizontal wells in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs.…”

A grain based modeling study of fracture branching during compression tests in granites

“…Besides direct observations in neighboring wells [7], microseismicity [8][9][10][11], tilt mapping [7], treatment pressure analysis [7], production data [7], and reservoir modeling [13] from hydraulic fracturing treatments in many geological environments also support the observation of complex fracture network development at macro scale. The most important natural factors triggering hydraulic fracture complexity were found to be discontinuities (joints, faults, bedding planes) and heterogeneities within the rock mass [3] in conjunction with the in-situ stress field (e.g.…”

“…Chen et al [14]). Environments where complex fracture networks may be formed include shale formations such as the Barnett shale [11,7] and granitic basement rock [13].…”