Identification of MHF (massive hydraulic fracturing) fracture planes and flow paths: A correlation of well log data with patterns in locations of induced seismicity

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6267895

Dreesen, D; Malzahn, M; Fehler, M; Dash, Z

One of the critical steps in developing a hot dry rock geothermal system is the creation of flow paths through the rock between two wellbores. To date, circulation systems have only been created by drilling one wellbore, hydraulically fracturing the well (which induces microearthquakes), locating the microearthquakes and then drilling a second wellbore through the zone of seismicity. A technique for analyzing the pattern of seismicity to determine where fracture planes are located in the seismically active region has recently been developed. This allows us to distinguish portions of the seismically active volume which are most likely to contain significant flow paths. We applied this technique to seismic data collected during a massive hydraulic fracturing (MHF) treatment and found that the fracture planes determined by the seismic method are confirmed by borehole temperature and caliper logs which indicate where permeable fractures and/or zones of weakness intersect the wellbores. A geometric model based on these planes and well log data has enhanced our understanding of the reservoir flow paths created by fracturing and is consistent with results obtained during production testing of the reservoir.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6267895
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-87-2082; CONF-871024-8; ON: DE87011765
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
COMMINUTION
DATA ANALYSIS
EARTHQUAKES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FAILURES
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
Geothermal Legacy
HOT-DRY-ROCK SYSTEMS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
MICROEARTHQUAKES
ORIENTATION
SEISMIC EFFECTS
SEISMIC EVENTS