Results from a MHF surface electrical potential mapping experiment
Sandia Laboratories has developed a surface electrical potential system for remotely determining the azimuthal orientation of massive hydraulic fractures. The basis of the system is to use the fracture well as a current electrode which changes geometry as the conductive fluid is pumped out into the formation. This results in a changing electric potential field at the surface which is measured radially around the well. The system was deployed for a massive hydraulic fracturing (MHF) experiment with Columbia Gas in the Devonian Shale during August 1976 in Lincoln County, West Virginia. Several operational problems during the two days of fracturing somewhat impaired the data. Potential changes during the pumping did indicate fracture growth; however, the data did not give a clear indication as to its orientation. A screen-out that occurred at the end of the first day's pumping did produce some interesting potential changes.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, N.Mex. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-04-0789
- OSTI ID:
- 7089641
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-77-1020C; CONF-771038-2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICAL SURVEYS
FLUIDS
FRACTURING
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
INJECTION WELLS
LIQUIDS
MAPS
MATHEMATICS
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
MIXTURES
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
PROPPING AGENTS
ROCKS
SHALES
SOLUTIONS
USA
WELLS
WEST VIRGINIA