Significance of natural and coring-induced fractures in Travis Peak Formation for reservoir stimulation

Conference · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6127793

Laubach, S E

Analysis of 565 natural coring-induced fractures in more than 1800 ft (549 m) of whole core from seven wells in the Lower Cretaceous Travis Peak Formation, together with borehole televiewer and other fracture-imaging logs from three wells, shows that (1) the abundance, physical properties, and orientation of natural fractures could potentially affect the success of hydraulic fracture treatment, and (2) the orientation of coring-induced fractures can be used to infer the direction of stimulation-fracture propagation. Reservoir sandstone in the Travis Peak contains subvertical natural extension fractures that are locally open in the subsurface with widths of as much as 0.2 in. (0.5 cm) at depths of greater than 9900 ft (3018 m) in hydrostatically pressured rocks. Fractures are most abundant in the hinges of gentle monoclines and in sandstone with pervasive quartz cement. Natural fractures strike east-northeast, but they are not precisely parallel to the direction of stimulation-fracture propagation. During hydraulic fracture treatment, these characteristics will tend to cause fracture branching, curvature, and development of auxiliary fractures. The resulting tortuous fracture network, variable fracture widths, and potential for leakoff of treatment fluid could promote screenout and, consequently, inefficient fracture treatment, if not considered in fracture-treatment design.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas, Austin (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6127793
• Report Number(s): CONF-8810362-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 72:9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
020300 -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TEXAS
USA