Factors that predict fracture orientation in a gas storage reservoir
Exploratory research was conducted in a gas-storage reservoir in Hocking County, Ohio, to determine why hydraulically induced vertical fractures tend to follow a preferred direction. Surface measurements of joints, aerial photograph lineaments, and residual stress orientations were compared to directional property measurements on oriented surface and subsurface cores. These data were compared to hydraulically induced vertical fracture orientations obtained by impression packers and borehole photographs in the reservoir. Observations showed that macroscopic and microscopic features of reservoir rocks can be correlated to the perferred orientation of hydraulically induced fractures. Considering that existing theory advocates tectonic stress as the controlling factor in vertical fracture orientation, it becomes apparent that both macroscopic and microscopic features are indicators of the direction of this maximum horizontal stress as well. Using this information, the petroleum engineer can locate wells to be fractured in a pattern which will optimize reservoir performance whether for production or storage of natural gas.
- OSTI ID:
- 5432192
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Factors that predict fracture orientation in a gas storage reservoir
Factors that predict fracture orientation in a gas storage reservoir
Related Subjects
030300* -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
035000 -- Natural Gas-- Storage-- (1989-)
COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FAILURES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
NATURAL GAS
ORIENTATION
PRODUCTION
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
STORAGE