Fracture characterization of the Montney Formation using amplitude inversion of converted wave seismic

Tyler L. MacFarlane and Thomas L. Davis show that amplitude variation with angle (AVA) inversion of azimuthally sectored converted-wave (PS) seismic obtains proxy measurements of the fast and slow shear wave velocities, which enables a volume calculation of the shear wave splitting parameter. Natural fractures play an important role in defining the productive intervals of unconventional tight gas and oil formations due to the low permeability its matrix. Fractures can increase permeability by orders of magnitude, and strongly impact how a hydraulic stimulation interacts with the reservoir. Local variations in elastic properties and stress conditions lead to a heterogeneous distribution of fractures that need to be identified prior to field development in order to optimize well placement and completion design. Uniform completion and drilling strategies may result in lost profit as a consequence of not understanding the complexity within the reservoir.