In-situ stress measurements at DOE's Multi-Well Experiment site, Mesaverde group, Rifle, Colorado

Conference · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5295335

Warpinski, N R; Branagan, P; Wilmer, R

Measurements of the vertical distribution of the minimum principal in-situ stress in the lower Mesaverde group (7300-8100 ft depth, 2225-2470 m) at DOE's Multi-Well Experiment site have been made by conducting small-volume, hydraulic-fracture stress tests through perforations. Accurate, reproducible results were obtained by conducting a number of repeat injections in each zone of interest using a specially designed pump system, modified high-resolution electronic equipment, and a down-hole shut-off tool with a bottom-hole pressure transducer. Stress tests were conducted in marine sandstones and shales as well as a coal, mudstone, and sandstone in a paludal depositional environment; these tests provide a detailed stress distribution in this region. The stress magnitudes were found to be dependent on lithology. Marine shales above and below the blanket sands have large horizontal stresses-near lithostatic with a frac gradient greater than 1.0 psi/ft (23 kPa/m). This indicates that these rocks do not behave elastically and processes such as creep and possibly fracturing are the dominant mechanisms controlling the stress state. On the other hand, sandstones and siltstones have much lower stresses with a frac gradient of 0.85-0.9 psi/ft (19-20 kPa/m). Containment of hydraulic fractures would be expected under these conditions.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratory
• OSTI ID: 5295335
• Report Number(s): CONF-8310121-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE12142
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
COLORADO
COMMINUTION
DEPTH
DEPTH 1-3 KM
DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
DIMENSIONS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FRACTURE MECHANICS
FRACTURING
FRACTURING FLUIDS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
LITHOLOGY
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
PRESSURIZING
PUMPS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
SILT
STRESS ANALYSIS
STRESSES
SURVEYS
TEST FACILITIES
TESTING
TRANSDUCERS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WELL LOGGING
WELLS