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Title: Massive hydraulic fracture mapping and characterization program. Surface potential data for Wattenberg 1975--1976 experiments

Abstract

Three massive hydraulic fracture experiments for natural gas stimulation were conducted by Halliburton for AMOCO in the Wattenberg field northeast of Denver, Colorado. The experiments were conducted on three wells--Martin Hart ''E'' No. 1, Salazar G.U. No. 1, and UPRR-22P. All three wells were open hole and the fracture zone was located at a depth of approximately 8000 ft. All were treated with approximately 300,000 gal of fluid and 600,000 lb of proppant. The surface electrical potential technique was used to attempt characterization and mapping of the fracture. The noise perturbating the system consists of telluric currents, currents from industrial sources, and natural local currents. It is difficult to determine the exact signal-to-noise ratio or the exact origin of the noise without exhaustive field measurements and data analysis. However, improvements have been made in the surface potential gradient technique since the early developmental stage of the diagnostic program. To aid in the interpretation of the field data, mathematical modeling efforts have been undertaken. The model utilizes the Green's function integral equation approach where the so-called half-space Green's function is used. The model calculates the potential difference that exists at the surface as a function of fracturing conditions. Data analysis indicatesmore » that the fracture orientation for all three wells lies in a SE to NW direction and that the fractures are asymmetric.« less

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
7299476
Report Number(s):
SAND-77-0396
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
03 NATURAL GAS; FRACTURES; MAPS; ORIENTATION; NATURAL GAS WELLS; HYDRAULIC FRACTURING; COLORADO; ENHANCED RECOVERY; NATURAL GAS; NATURAL GAS FIELDS; WELL STIMULATION; COMMINUTION; ENERGY SOURCES; FAILURES; FLUIDS; FOSSIL FUELS; FRACTURING; FUEL GAS; FUELS; GAS FUELS; GASES; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS; NORTH AMERICA; RESOURCES; ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION; USA; WELLS; 030900* - Natural Gas- Artificial Stimulation, Plowshare- (-1989)

Citation Formats

McCann, R.P., Bartel, L.C., and Keck, L.J. Massive hydraulic fracture mapping and characterization program. Surface potential data for Wattenberg 1975--1976 experiments. United States: N. p., 1977. Web. doi:10.2172/7299476.
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McCann, R.P., Bartel, L.C., & Keck, L.J. Massive hydraulic fracture mapping and characterization program. Surface potential data for Wattenberg 1975--1976 experiments. United States. doi:10.2172/7299476.
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McCann, R.P., Bartel, L.C., and Keck, L.J. Mon . "Massive hydraulic fracture mapping and characterization program. Surface potential data for Wattenberg 1975--1976 experiments". United States. doi:10.2172/7299476. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/7299476.
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@article{osti_7299476,
title = {Massive hydraulic fracture mapping and characterization program. Surface potential data for Wattenberg 1975--1976 experiments},
author = {McCann, R.P. and Bartel, L.C. and Keck, L.J.},
abstractNote = {Three massive hydraulic fracture experiments for natural gas stimulation were conducted by Halliburton for AMOCO in the Wattenberg field northeast of Denver, Colorado. The experiments were conducted on three wells--Martin Hart ''E'' No. 1, Salazar G.U. No. 1, and UPRR-22P. All three wells were open hole and the fracture zone was located at a depth of approximately 8000 ft. All were treated with approximately 300,000 gal of fluid and 600,000 lb of proppant. The surface electrical potential technique was used to attempt characterization and mapping of the fracture. The noise perturbating the system consists of telluric currents, currents from industrial sources, and natural local currents. It is difficult to determine the exact signal-to-noise ratio or the exact origin of the noise without exhaustive field measurements and data analysis. However, improvements have been made in the surface potential gradient technique since the early developmental stage of the diagnostic program. To aid in the interpretation of the field data, mathematical modeling efforts have been undertaken. The model utilizes the Green's function integral equation approach where the so-called half-space Green's function is used. The model calculates the potential difference that exists at the surface as a function of fracturing conditions. Data analysis indicates that the fracture orientation for all three wells lies in a SE to NW direction and that the fractures are asymmetric.},
doi = {10.2172/7299476},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977},
month = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977}
}
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Technical Report:
View Technical Report (2.69 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/7299476
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  • ; ;
    The FY'76 major objectives of the Massive Hydraulic Fracture Mapping and Characterization Program were to assess the feasibility of the surface electrical potential and surface seismic systems to provide locational information on hydraulically created fracture systems. The surface electrical potential system has demonstrated the capability to provide information on fracture azimuthal orientation, asymmetry of fracture, and direction of major fracture wing. Assessment of the surface seismic technique for fracture characterization is not encouraging. During FY'76, Sandia participated in five MHF experiments for natural gas stimulation. Two of these were conducted by El Paso Natural Gas in the Green River Basinmore » at Pinedale, Wyoming, and three were conducted by AMOCO in the Wattenberg field northeast of Denver, Colorado. Sandia supported all five experiments with the surface electrical potential system and three with surface seismic arrays. This report describes both fracture characterization techniques, provides an overview of the associated hardware and software development, and presents the results obtained from participation in the field tests.« less

  • The electrical potential data for UPRR-22 was further analyzed and showed changes as a function of the volume pumped. An upgrading of the potential system has been completed and this should allow improved data to be collected in future experiments. Additional seismic data analysis has been completed and has indicated marginal results. These results will however guide the future seismic programs.

  • A massive hydraulic fracture experiment was conducted in West Virginia that was one of the field demonstrations of the Eastern Devonian Shale Program. It was the largest gelled water and proppant fracture conducted to date in the eastern United States. Halliburton performed the fracture treatment for Columbia Gas as part of the joint industry contract with the Morgantown Energy Research Center. Sandia installed the revised electrical potential system as a diagnostic to aid in fracture orientation determination. The new system performed according to design goals after some minor revisions. Data analysis of the results are not very definitive for fracturemore » orientation and some improved techniques are being planned for the follow-on experiments.« less

  • ; ; - Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
    Mapping of massive hydraulic fractures allows for their efficient use to stimulate natural gas production in tight formations. A mapping technique has been used by Sandia Laboratories in conjunction with industry in the Green River Basin at Pinedale, Wyo. and in the Wattenburg field near Denver, Colo. Comparison of field data to model calculations shows that the electrical potential gradients produced by the direct electrical excitation of the fracture well and fracture fluid can be used to map and characterize massive hydraulic fractures. The direction and any asymmetry of the fracture can be determined. (10 refs.)

  • In order to efficiently use massive hydraulic fractures to stimulate natural gas production in tight formations, knowledge of the extent and direction of fractures is essential. Sandia Laboratories is involved in the development and evaluation of an electrical technique for the mapping of massive hydraulic fractures. The technique under consideration is essentially a dynamic ''misse-a-la-masse'' method, which is referred to as the direct excitation electrical potential (DEEP) technique. The method makes use of the changes in electrical potentials at the surface of the earth produced by changes in the current electrode geometry where the electrode consists of the fracture wellmore » casing plus the associated conducting fracture fluid. To aid in the interpretation of the field data, a mathematical modeling effort was undertaken. The model calculations utilize a Green's function approach where the voltage distributions along the well casings and fracture fluid are taken into account. For modeling the potential gradients as a result of the fracture, the Green's function approach, with some simplifying assumptions, results in a closed form solution. The model calculations are presented along with a parametric study for optimizing the placement of potential electrodes as well as interpretation of field data. The calculated results have been compared to some field data which show that the direction of the fracture can be determined. It is anticipated that with close correlation of the model calculations and the field data, the extent of the fracture can also be determined.« less