Fracture analysis: Methods and applications to coal-bed methane and Devonian shale
- GeoMet Inc., Washington, DC (United States)
- GeoMet Inc., Birmingham, AL (United States)
When used exclusively, conventional remote sensing inadequately defines underground fracture systems for detailed study areas. A combination of mapping surface joint features and interpretation of remote sensing data provides an improved method of identifying ones of higher fracture intensity. Identification of these zones defines optimal location and spacing of coal-bed methane wells and interpretation of production trends. Although developed for the coal-bed methane industry, this fracture analysis has other applications including the evaluation of Devonian shales. To consistently define linear features and joint patterns, a method has been developed to define them. The linear study consists of interpreting and classifying linears from a variety of remote sensing imagery, including low-altitude photos, SLAR, high altitude, and thematic mapper. The resulting fracture analysis uses data from both the joint field mapping program and the linear study. Detailed study of production trends vs. fracture zones in the Oak Grove degas field of Alabama confirmed the importance of structure; wells connected to fracture systems yielded higher production. Although data obtained from the Oak Grove degas field established the existence of subsurface communication between seams via fracture systems, extensive field mapping reveals fracture avenues from subsurface coal seams to the surface. The evidence for this is continuous streams of methane bubbles observed in water in creek beds.
- OSTI ID:
- 5846800
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9109238-; CODEN: AABUD
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Vol. 75:8; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) eastern section meeting, Pittsburgh, PA (United States), 8-10 Sep 1991; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ALABAMA
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
MAPPING
METHANE
MATERIALS RECOVERY
COAL SEAMS
DEGASSING
DEVONIAN PERIOD
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
NATURAL GAS
PRODUCTION
REMOTE SENSING
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
ALKANES
COAL DEPOSITS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PALEOZOIC ERA
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RESOURCES
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
030200* - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration