Surface studies predict orientation of induced formation fractures
Natural and induced vertical fractures in oil-bearing reservoirs affect oil production from both primary- and secondary-recovery operations. Preliminary investigations have demonstrated the feasibility of correlating observed surface fracture trend with oil-reservoir fractures induced by hydraulic fracturing. Magnetic bearings of major vertical joints in out-cropping formations were compared with compass bearings from bottomhole packer-impression surveys of hydraulically induced wellbore fractures. The orientation of vertical fracture trends was established by plotting nearly 2,000 joint strike measurements from Salamanca Sandstone outcrops at 16 locations throughout the Bradford oilfield in McKean County, Pa., and the Allegany oilfield, Allegany County, N.Y. One dominant set of joints trending N 50$ E to N 76$ E correlated very well with wellbore fracture orientations in 19 to 21 packer- surveyed wells in the 2 oilfields. (12 refs.)
- OSTI ID:
- 5706256
- Journal Information:
- Prod. Mon.; (United States), Journal Name: Prod. Mon.; (United States) Vol. 32:6; ISSN PROMA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CENTRAL REGION
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
MINERAL RESOURCES
NEW YORK
NORTH AMERICA
OIL FIELDS
PENNSYLVANIA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
STIMULATION
USA
WELL SPACING
WELL STIMULATION