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Direct Imaging of Natural Fracture Flow Networks at the Reservoir Scale
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, Second EAGE Workshop on Naturally Fractured Reservoirs, Dec 2013, cp-371-00039
- ISBN: 978-90-73834-69-9
Abstract
Until recently direct imaging of reservoir scale fracture-flow networks has been impossible. High-resolution reflection seismic data provides images of larger fractures, but does not show which fractures are likely to be hydraulically transmissive. To date, reservoir-scale fracture networks have been characterized primarily by indirect methods such as: stochastic and/or deterministic mechanical modeling to upscale borehole data or downscale reflection seismic data; attributes derived from seismic reflection data; and well or reservoir tests that measure bulk flow properties. This presentation reports on a new passive seismic imaging method (Tomographic Fracture Imaging™) that directly images reservoir-scale fracture networks either during hydraulic fracture treatments, during production or injection, or using only ambient seismic emissions. Ambient imaging can be performed during the course of standard 3D reflection surveys by recording continuously during quiet periods, for example at night when there is no activity on the grid. The presentation will focus on well-documented case-studies where independent validation of the results is available. Case studies presented will include examples from hydraulic fracture treatments, ambient surveys, and a water flood. The results are validated with independent data including chemical and radioactive tracer studies, pressure monitoring, production logs, reflection seismic data, and well results.