Microseismic Mapping of Hydraulic Fractures Using Multi-Level Wireline Receivers

Abstract

Abstract Hydraulic fracture diagnostic experiments are being conducted at the GRI/DOE Multi-Site (M-Site) located in the Piceance basin of Colorado. Tests described in this paper use s multi-level advanced-receiver system to bu¡!d on previous work that showed the advantages of using a single advanced receiver to monitor microseisms. The current test has a four-level receiver system monitoring four separate fracture experiments conducted over a one week period, and includes a velocity tomographic survey and detailed orientation survey. Hydraulic fractures were monitored from an offset well 210 ft away from the treatment well The results of these monitoring tests show a fracture developing asymmetrically with time, yielding a fracture-wing asymmetry of 2:1. The fracture initially grows within the pay zone to essentially its total length, and then begins to grow upward, and later in time grow downward. Comparison with fracture models gives only a partial agreement in the final size.