Hydraulic Fracture Mapping in Treated Well – Channelized Reservoirs Development Optimization in Mexico

The fracture stimulation becoming of prime interest for waterflooding and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), the orientation of the fractures is a key factor for the selection of optimum well locations. The microseismic monitoring of hydraulic fracturing treatment appears then as an helpful tool to map fractures. This paper presents the results obtained by PEMEX in channelized Chicontepec reservoirs (Mexico), where extensive fracturing jobs are largely carried out to stimulate the oil recovery of the turbidites reservoir complexes. The specificity of the presented monitoring surveys stands in the deployment of tools in the treatment well itself. The microseismicity recorded yields to provide consistent orientation of fractures. These results confirm the great potential of this unique approach, as it leads PEMEX to review the stimulation scheme for a cost-effective reservoir stimulation.