Fault or frac? Source mechanism and B-value detection of fault fracturing - A Barnett case study

A. De La Pena, S. A. Wessels, A. R. Gunnell, K. J. Numa, S. Williams-Stroud, L. Eisner, M. Thornton, M. Mueller

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Microseismic monitoring is necessary to optimize hydraulic stimulation in unconventional reservoirs. Recognizing the difference between reactivating pre-existing joints and tectonic faults allows engineers to improve efficiency by avoiding stimulation of faults that may intersect aquifers and do not contribute to hydrocarbon production. Gutenberg and Richter (1954) proposed a relationship of size of events and number of events for a given area to be log N = A -bMs, where the slope b≈1 for tectonic fault earthquakes. Maxwell et al. (2009) and Downie et al. (2010) observed a slope of b≈2 for hydraulically stimulated fracture events. We show that source mechanism inversion of wide azimuth microseismic data acquired with buried array technology can provide this information in real time for each event. We do this on the basis that observed fracture and fault events exhibit unique source mechanisms, allowing us to calculate b values for thousands of events grouped by their source mechanism. The calculated slopes are consistent with previously published works regarding differentiation of fracture and fault activity. This knowledge will allow engineers to make more informed decisions to reduce the volume of fluids and proppants lost to reactivated faults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - 73rd European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2011 - Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2011
PublisherSociety of Petroleum Engineers
Pages545-549
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)9781617829666
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

Name73rd European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2011: Unconventional Resources and the Role of Technology. Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2011
Volume1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Geophysics

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