3D Hydraulic-Fracture Simulation Integrated With 4D Time-Lapse Multicomponent Seismic and Microseismic Interpretations, Wattenberg Field, Colorado

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (01) ◽  
pp. 057-071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Alfataierge ◽  
Jennifer L. Miskimins ◽  
Thomas L. Davis ◽  
Robert D. Benson
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Wattenberg Field ◽  
Fracture Simulation ◽  
Multicomponent Seismic

Monitoring horizontal well hydraulic stimulations and geomechanical deformation processes in the unconventional shales of the Midland Basin using fiber-based time-lapse VSPs, microseismic, and strain data

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hull ◽  
Robert Meek ◽  
Hector Bello ◽  
Kevin Woller ◽  
Jed Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Optics ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Single Mode Fiber ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Fracture Geometry ◽  
Fracture Models

A variety of methods are utilized in an instrumented vertical wellbore to invert for and estimate the heights and lateral extents of the hydraulic fracture treatment. Data were acquired with externally mounted dual- and single-mode fiber optics for measuring strain, acoustics, and temperature. In addition, external pressure gauges, internal conventional tiltmeters, and geophones were also utilized. This instrumented well was used multiple times to record a number of nearby offset horizontal hydraulic stimulations and to record a time-lapse vertical seismic profile. By using multiple data acquisition techniques, we obtained a more comprehensive and accurate estimation of the hydraulic fracture geometry and the dynamic processes taking place internal to the propagating fractures. Furthermore, these data could be used to calibrate fracture models and the fracture interaction with the surrounding unconventional reservoir.

Monitoring the width of hydraulic fractures with acoustic waves

Geophysics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen Groenenboom ◽  
Jacob T. Fokkema
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Direct Determination ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Slip Model ◽  
Layer Model ◽  
Incident Wavelength ◽  
Linear Slip Model

During scaled hydraulic fracturing experiments in our laboratory, the fracture growth process is monitored in a time‐lapse experiment with ultrasonic waves. We observe dispersion of compressional waves that have propagated across the hydraulic fracture. This dispersion appears to be related to the width of the hydraulic fracture. This means that we can apply the dispersion measurements to monitor the width of the hydraulic fracture in an indirect manner. For a direct determination of the width, the resolution of the signal is required to distinguish the reflections that are related with two distinct fluid/solid interfaces delimiting the hydraulic fracture from its solid embedding. To make this distinction, the solid/fluid interfaces must be separated at least one eighth of a wavelength and represent sufficient impedance contrast. The applicability of the indirect dispersion measurement method however, extends to a fracture width that is in the order of 1% of the incident wavelength. The time‐lapse ultrasonic measurements allow us to relate the small difference in arrival time and amplitude between two measurements solely to the small changes in the width of the fracture. Additional experimental data show that shear waves are completely shadowed by hydraulic fractures, indicating that there is no acoustic contact mechanism at the fracture interface. Therefore we think it is appropriate to use a thin fluid‐filled layer model for these hydraulic fractures instead of the standard empirically oriented linear slip model. Nevertheless, the thin layer model is consistent with the linear‐slip model, if interpreted correctly. A comparison of width measurements inside the wellbore and width estimates by means of dispersion measurements close to the wellbore shows that the method can be successfully applied, at least under laboratory conditions, and that small changes in the width of the fracture are directly expressed in the dispersion of the transmitted signal. This opens the way for the important new application of width monitoring of hydraulic fractures.

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