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Title: Monitoring acoustic emission from propagating fractures in petroleum reservoir rocks

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7181250

The results presented here are from a continuing petroleum reservoir stimulation research program at the Morgantown Energy Research Center (MERC) of the U.S. Government Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA). The research pertains to hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas reservoir rocks with specific emphasis placed upon the acoustic mapping of induced fracture orientations, lengths and rates of propagation, and the mechanisms governing fracture propagation in oil and gas reservoirs. Information presented here is based upon a field experiment for acoustically mapping hydraulic fractures, and laboratory studies on acoustic emission from fracture initiation and growth in reservoir rocks. The field experiment was conducted in a petroleum reservoir in Bradford, Pa. Twelve hydrophone type sensors were placed at the oil bearing rock elevation of 2,030 feet from the surface in adjacent wells surrounding the fractured well. Complete directional acoustic velocity distribution and acoustic background noise levels were evaluated. The resulting measurements made during the hydraulic fracture mapping experiment, data analysis techniques and problems are discussed. Instrumentation developed and used in the data reduction and analysis is described. Laboratory hydraulic fracture stimulation experiments conducted in reservoir rocks are discussed with a description of techniques, instrumentation, and data analysis included.

Research Organization:
Energy Research and Development Administration, Morgantown, W.Va. (USA). Morgantown Energy Research Center
OSTI ID:
7181250
Report Number(s):
CONF-7506131-1
Resource Relation:
Conference: Conference on acoustic emission (microseismic activity) in geologic structures and materials, University Park, PA, USA, 9 Jun 1975
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English