Fracture interpretation in the Barnett Shale using macro and microseismic data

The Mississippian Barnett Shale of the Fort Worth Basin (Texas, USA) is potentially the largest gas field in North America. As with most tight gas fields, successful Barnett well creation requires accurate well path placement in the gas zone: with judicious alignment of the well path relative to existing fractures and current stress orientations, followed by effective hydraulic fracturing. Previous work has established a current stress orientation of approximately 50−60° east of north.