Monitoring hydraulic fracturing complexity and containment with time-lapse, multi-component and microseismic data, Pouce Coupe, Alberta

Fracture complexity occurs when the hydraulic fracturing process causes multiple sets of natural fractures to open in a reservoir. Keeping these sets open is another problem as they must be propped to stay open and communicate with the well bore. Fracture complexity can be monitored and it could have a significant effect on well orientations and completions. Stresses and natural fractures can create conditions favourable for generating multiple fracture sets. Generally, if we can tell where the natural fractures are prior to the drilling and completions, we can take advantage of the natural fractures to increase effective permeability and create greater conductivity to the well bore. Monitoring to see if the fractures are propped and remain conductive over time can be accomplished with shear wave splitting and birefringence. Hydraulic fracture containment during the hydraulic fracturing process is especially relevant to optimizing the effectiveness of hydraulic fracture treatments. Many reservoirs have issues related to height growth and containment within the zone. Monitoring containment is important for purposes of increasing the recovery factor in shale reservoirs. Monitoring technologies can be used to assess containment issues associated with reservoirs affected by fault and natural fracture systems.