Fracture Wave Depth and Conductivity Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring and analyzing hydraulic fractures in subsurface formations lack effective real-time characterization of fracture properties, connectivity, and conductivity, which are crucial for optimizing hydraulic fracturing treatments and predicting production outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the imparting and detection of seismic energy in a liquid-filled borehole to estimate tube wave velocities and characterize fractures, including measuring pressure decay and analyzing resonances to determine fracture conductivity and connectivity over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If seismic energy is used to characterize fractures in real-time, then measurement precision of fracture properties is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic monitoring system is designed to perform multiple functions using the same infrastructure: fracture depth characterization, connectivity assessment, and conductivity estimation all utilize the seismic energy propagation measurements through different analysis methods, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems for each parameter
Solution Approach 2:
Seismic energy acts as an intermediary that penetrates the subsurface formation and interacts with fracture structures, carrying information about fracture properties back to surface sensors without requiring direct physical contact with the fractures, thus enabling remote characterization
2Loss of information
If multiple parameters (fracture depth, connectivity, conductivity) are measured simultaneously, then loss of information is reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fracture characterization process is divided into distinct analytical segments: depth determination from two-way travel time, connectivity assessment from wave propagation patterns, and conductivity estimation from amplitude attenuation, allowing each parameter to be extracted and optimized independently from the seismic data
Solution Approach 2:
Seismic energy is imparted periodically into the borehole at different times during and after hydraulic fracturing treatment, enabling temporal monitoring of fracture evolution and providing multiple measurement opportunities to improve precision through data averaging and trend analysis
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate real-time characterization of fractures, improving the understanding of hydraulic fracturing processes and predicting production outcomes by providing detailed insights into fracture properties and connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
imparting seismic energy into a liquid filled borehole drilled through the subsurface formation. Seismic energy is detected in the borehole
Implementation Method 2
estimating a tube wave velocity in a borehole intermediate casing and a tube wave velocity in a borehole production casing from the detected seismic energy
Implementation Method 3
measuring pressure decay and analyzing resonances to determine fracture conductivity and connectivity over time
Implementation Method 4
analyzing resonances to determine fracture conductivity and connectivity over time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for characterizing a hydraulic fracture in a subsurface formation includes inducing a pressure change in a borehole drilled through the subsurface formation. At least one of pressure and a time derivative of pressure is measured in the borehole for a selected length of time. At least one physical parameter of at least one fracture is determined using the measured pressure and/or the time derivative of pressure. A method for characterizing hydraulic fracturing rate uses microseismic event count measured through the borehole and its real-time implementation.