Acoustic velocity and permeability of acidized and propped fractures in shale

Ding, Jihui; Clark, Anthony C.; Vanorio, Tiziana; Jew, Adam D.; Bargar, John R.

doi:10.1190/geo2020-0873.1

Title: Acoustic velocity and permeability of acidized and propped fractures in shale

Journal Article · Thu Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 2021 · Geophysics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2020-0873.1· OSTI ID:1862409

^[1]; Clark, Anthony C. ^[1];

^[1]; Jew, Adam D. ^[2]; Bargar, John R. ^[2]

Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)

We report that from geochemical reactions to proppant emplacement, hydraulic fracturing induces various chemomechanical fracture alterations in shale reservoirs. Hydraulic fracturing through the injection of a vast amount and variety of fluids and proppants has substantial impacts on fluid flow and hydrocarbon production. There is a strong need to improve our understanding on how fracture alterations affect flow pathways within the stimulated rock volume and develop monitoring tools. We have conducted time-lapse rock-physics experiments on clay-rich (carbonate-poor) Marcellus shales to characterize the acoustic velocity and permeability responses to fracture acidizing and propping. Acoustic P- and S-wave velocities and fracture permeability were measured before and after laboratory-induced fracture alterations along with microstructural imaging through X-ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. Our experiments indicate that the S-wave velocity is an important geophysical observable, particularly the S-wave polarized perpendicular to fractures because it is sensitive to fracture stiffness. The acidizing and propping of a fracture decrease its elastic stiffness. This effect is stronger for acidizing, so it is possible that proppant monitoring will be masked by chemical alteration except when propping is highly efficient (i.e., most fractures are propped). However, fracture permeability is undermined by the softening of fracture surfaces due to acidizing, while being greatly enhanced by propping. These contrasting effects on fluid flow in combination with similar seismic attributes indicate the importance of experiments to improve existing rock-physics models, which must include changes to the rock frame. Such improvements are necessary for a correct interpretation of seismic velocity monitoring of flow pathways in stimulated shales.

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Research Organization:: SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE), Clean Coal and Carbon Management; National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-76SF00515; FWP100211; ECCS-1542152

OSTI ID:: 1862409

Journal Information:: Geophysics, Vol. 87, Issue 1; ISSN 0016-8033

Publisher:: Society of Exploration GeophysicistsCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Acoustic velocity and permeability of acidized and propped fractures in shale

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