GASBUGGY SEISMIC SOURCE MEASUREMENTS

Geophysics ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. Perret

Gasbuggy, a 29‐kt nuclear experiment, was detonated December 10, 1967, at a depth of 4240 ft in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico. Its purpose was to develop techniques for stimulation of natural gas production from tight gas‐bearing formations. Data from four subsurface instrument stations in a boring 1500 ft from Gasbuggy indicated formation of a spherical cavity of 88 ft radius and a microfracture radius of about 480 ft. The mean peak value of reduced displacement potentials which defined the seismic source was [Formula: see text]. Calculations indicate that about 2 percent of the energy released remained in the seismic source at 1500 ft. Data from surface motion instruments distributed between surface zero and 8400 ft were similar to those observed above any other contained nuclear explosions. Spalling was indicated at all surface stations. Transient vertical displacements indicate a mound about 6.7 inches high near surface zero and extending through the most remote station where uplift was 0.3 inch.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yunzhao Zhang ◽  
Lianbo Zeng ◽  
Wenya Lyu ◽  
Dongsheng Sun ◽  
Shuangquan Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract The Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation is a typical tight gas reservoir in which natural fractures determine the migration, accumulation and production capacity of tight gas. In this study, we focused on the influences of natural fractures on the tight gas migration and production. We clarified characteristics and attributes (i.e. dips, apertures, filling degree and cross-cutting relationships) of the fractures based on image logging interpretations and core descriptions. Previous studies of electron spin resonance, carbon and oxygen isotopes, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions analysis and basin simulation were considered. This study also analysed the fracture sequences, source of fracture fillings, diagenetic sequences and tight gas enrichment stages. We obtained insight into the relationship between fracture evolution and hydrocarbon charging, particularly the effect of the apertures and intensity of natural fractures on tight gas production. We reveal that the bedding fractures are short horizontal migration channels of tight gas. The tectonic fractures with middle, high and nearly vertical angles are beneficial to tight gas vertical migration. The apertures of fractures are controlled by the direction of maximum principal stress and fracture angle. The initial gas production of the vertical wells presents a positive correlation with the fracture abundance, and the intensity and aperture of fractures are the fundamental factors that determine the tight gas production. With these findings, this study is expected to guide the future exploration and development of tight gas with similar geological backgrounds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S11) ◽  
pp. 2726-2737

Unconventional gas reservoirs are now the targets for meeting the demand for gas. These reservoirs are at the depth of more than 10,000 ft (even over 15000 depth as well) and are difficult to be exploited by conventional methods. For the last decades hydraulic fracturing has become the tool to develop these resources. Mathematical models (2D and pseudo-3D) have been developed for fracture geometry, which should be realistically created at the depth by surface controllable treatment parameters. If the reservoir rock is sandstone, then proppant fracturing is suitable and if the rock is carbonates, then acid fracturing is applicable. In both cases, proper design of controllable treatment parameters within constraints is essential. This needs proper optimization model which gives real controllable parametric vales. The model needs the most important analyses from geomechanical study and linear elastic fracture mechanics of rock containing unconventional gas so that fracture geometry makes maximum contact with the reservoirs for maximum recovery. Currently available software may lack proper optimization scheme containing geomechanical stress model, fracture geometry, natural fracture interactions, real field constraints and proper reservoir engineering model of unconventional gas resources, that is, production model from hydraulically fractured well (vertical and horizontal). An optimization algorithm has been developed to integrate all the modules, as mentioned above, controllable parameters, field constraints and production model with an objective function of maximum production (with or without minimization of treatment cost). Optimization is basically developed based on Direct Search Genetic and Polytope algorithm, which can handle dual objective function, non-differentiable equations, discontinuity and non-linearity. A dual objective function will meet operator’s economic requirements and investigate conflict between two objectives. The integrated model can be applied to a vertical or horizontal well in tight gas or ultra-tight shale gas deeper than over 10,000 ft. A simulation (with industrial simulators) was conducted to investigate and analyse fracture propagation behavior, under varying parameters with respect to the fracture design process, for tight gas reservoirs. Results indicate that hydraulic fracture propagation behavior is not uninhibited in deep reservoirs as some may believe that minor variations of variables such as in-situ stress, fluid properties etc. are often detrimental to fracture propagation in some conditions. Application of this model to a hypothetical tight and ultra-tight unconventional gas formations indicates a significant gas production at lower treatment cost; whereas the resources do not flow without any stimulation (hydraulic fracturing).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajar Ali Abdulla Al Shehhi ◽  
Bondan Bernadi ◽  
Alia Belal Zuwaid Belal Al Shamsi ◽  
Shamma Jasem Al Hammadi ◽  
Fatima Omar Alawadhi ◽  
...  

Abstract Reservoir X is a marginal tight gas condensate reservoir located in Abu Dhabi with permeability of less than 0.05 mD. The field was conventionally developed with a few single horizontal wells, though sharp production decline was observed due to rapid pressure depletion. This study investigates the impact of converting the existing single horizontal wells into single long horizontal, dual laterals, triple laterals, fishbone design and hydraulic fracturing in improving well productivity. The existing wells design modifications were planned using a near reservoir simulator. The study evaluated the impact of length, trajectory, number of laterals and perforation intervals. For Single, dual, and triple lateral wells, additional simulation study with hydraulic fracturing was carried out. To evaluate and obtain effective comparisons, sector models with LGR was built to improve the simulation accuracy in areas near the wellbore. The study conducted a detailed investigation into the impact of various well designs on the well productivity. It was observed that maximizing the reservoir contact and targeting areas with high gas saturation led to significant increase in the well productivity. The simulation results revealed that longer laterals led to higher gas production rates. Dual lateral wells showed improved productivity when compared to single lateral wells. This incremental gain in the production was attributed to increased contact with the reservoir. The triple lateral well design yielded higher productivity compared to single and dual lateral wells. Hydraulic fracturing for single, dual, and triple lateral wells showed significant improvement in the gas production rates and reduced condensate banking near the wellbore. A detailed investigation into the fishbone design was carried out, this involved running sensitivity runs by varying the number of branches. Fishbone design showed considerable increment in production when compared to other well designs This paper demonstrates that increasing the reservoir contact and targeting specific areas of the reservoir with high gas saturation can lead to significant increase in the well productivity. The study also reveals that having longer and multiple laterals in the well leads to higher production rates. Hydraulic fracturing led to higher production gains. Fishbone well design with its multiple branches showed the most production again when compared to other well designs.


Geology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1176-1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Swanson ◽  
Aviva Sussman ◽  
Jennifer Wilson

Abstract Fractures within the earth control rock strength and fluid flow, but their dynamic nature is not well understood. As part of a series of underground chemical explosions in granite in Nevada, we collected and analyzed microfracture density data sets prior to, and following, individual explosions. Our work shows an ∼4-fold increase in both open and filled microfractures following the explosions. Based on the timing of core retrieval, filling of some new fractures occurs in as little as 6 wk after fracture opening under shallow (<100 m) crustal conditions. These results suggest that near-surface fractures may fill quite rapidly, potentially changing permeability on time scales relevant to oil, gas, and geothermal energy production; carbon sequestration; seismic cycles; and radionuclide migration from nuclear waste storage and underground nuclear explosions.


1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
B. Wilkinson ◽  
L. Barro

Vast reserves of gas-bearing coal deposits are located in Queensland. Owing to the extremely low permeability and porosity of the coal, very low gas flow rates are normally encountered. In an effort to enhance the gas production to economic quantities and to degasify the coal to provide a safer mining environment, four experimental wells were drilled into coal seams near Blackwater, Queensland.Based on extensive laboratory testing of coal samples, computerised fracture design calculations were performed to determine a suitable stimulation programme. The wells were hydraulically fractured with up to 15 000 US gal of foamed stimulation fluid containing 75 per cent nitrogen. To prop open the induced fracture system, 15 000 lb of sand was pumped with the foam. The maximum concentration was eight pounds of 20-40 mesh sand per gallon of fluid. Gas production from the unstimulated wells was too low to measure. Early production data soon after the fracturing suggested a gas flow rate of approximately 50 Mcf/D.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snježana Markušić ◽  
Davor Stanko ◽  
Tvrtko Korbar ◽  
Ivica Sović

Abstract. Seismic-induced ground motion at a site is generally influenced by seismic source, propagation path and local site conditions. Over the last several decades, researchers have consistently asserted that for near site attenuation, the spectral parameter kappa is subject primarily to site conditions. In this research we estimated parameter kappa based on the acceleration amplitude spectrum of shear waves, from the selected recordings of local earthquakes from seismological stations situated in the western part of Croatia from the slope of the high-frequency part. The spatial distribution of individual kappa values is compared with the azimuthal distribution of earthquake epicentres, with Vs30 values and the published coda-Q values for each station, as well as with isoseismal maps for several stronger events in the investigated area, along with the geological features. The dextral shift of crustal segments and frontal thrust of the External Dinarides along the Kvarner fault zone has probably had an impact on the geometry of the kappa parameter contour lines. These results are important for gaining further insight into the attenuation of near-surface crust layers in the Northwestern External Dinarides and the associated Adriatic foreland, as well as in similar geotectonic settings.


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