Petroleum Exploration and Development >

2017 , Vol. 44 >Issue 6: 974 - 981

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11698/PED.2017.06.16

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Hydraulic fracture propagation geometry and acoustic emission interpretation: A case study of Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale in Sichuan Basin, SW China

  • MA Xinfang ,
  • LI Ning ,
  • YIN Congbin ,
  • LI Yanchao ,
  • ZOU Yushi ,
  • WU Shan ,
  • HE Feng ,
  • WANG Xiaoqiong ,
  • ZHOU Tong
Expand
  • 1. China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China;
    2. Downhole Company, Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Co. Ltd., Chengdu 610051, China

Received date: 2017-03-20

  Revised date: 2017-07-20

  Online published: 2017-11-24

Fold

Abstract

A series of laboratory fracturing experiments was performed on samples mined from an outcrop of the Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale in the Sichuan Basin, using a true triaxial fracturing simulation system. To reveal the characteristics of acoustic emission (AE) response in hydraulic fracture (HF) propagation, the HF propagation geometry obtained by specimen splitting and CT scanning technology was compared with the interpretation results of AE monitoring. And the difference of hypocenter mechanism between hydraulically connected and unconnected regions was further discussed. Experimental results show that the AE events distribution indicates well the internal fractures geometry of the rock samples. Numerous AE events occur and concentrate around the wellbore where the HF initiated. Sparse AE events were presented nearby bedding planes (BP) activated by the HF. AE events tended to be denser where HF geometry was more complex. The hydraulically connected region was obviously distinct with the spatial distribution of AE events, which resulted in the overestimation of stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) based on micro-seismic mapping result. Both tensile and shear events occurred in the zone connected by the hydraulic fractures, while only shear events were observed around BPs those were not hydraulically connected. Thus, the hydraulically connected and unconnected region can be identified in accordance with the hypocenter mechanism, which is beneficial to improve the accuracy of SRV evaluation.

Key words： shale; bedding plane; hydraulic fracture; propagation geometry; acoustic emission; CT scanning

Cite this article

MA Xinfang , LI Ning , YIN Congbin , LI Yanchao , ZOU Yushi , WU Shan , HE Feng , WANG Xiaoqiong , ZHOU Tong . Hydraulic fracture propagation geometry and acoustic emission interpretation: A case study of Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale in Sichuan Basin, SW China[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2017 , 44(6) : 974 -981 . DOI: 10.11698/PED.2017.06.16

References

[1] 吴奇, 胥云, 王晓泉, 等. 非常规油气藏体积改造技术: 内涵、优化设计与实现[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2012, 39(3): 252-258.
WU Qi, XU Yun, WANG Xiaoquan, et al. Volume fracturing technology of unconventional reservoirs: Connotation, optimization design and implementation[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2012, 39(3): 252-258.
[2] 钟建华, 刘圣鑫, 马寅生, 等. 页岩宏观破裂模式与微观破裂机理[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2015, 42(2): 242-250.
ZHONG Jianhua, LIU Shengxin, MA Yinsheng, et al. Macro-fracture mode and micro-fracture mechanism of shale[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2015, 42(2): 242-250.
[3] 胥云, 陈铭, 吴奇, 等. 水平井体积改造应力干扰计算模型及其应用[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2016, 43(5): 780-786.
XU Yun, CHEN Ming, WU Qi, et al. Stress interference calculation model and its application in volume stimulation of horizontal wells[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2016, 43(5): 780-786.
[4] MAXWELL S C, URBANCIC T I, STEINSBERGER N, et al. Microseismic imaging of hydraulic fracture complexity in the Barnett shale[R]. SPE 77440, 2002.
[5] FISHER M K, WRIGHT C A, DAVIDSON B M, et al. Integrating fracture mapping technologies to optimize stimulations in the Barnett shale[R]. SPE 77441, 2002.
[6] CIPOLLA C L, WARPINSKI N R, MAYERHOFER M J, et al. The relationship between fracture complexity, reservoir properties, and fracture treatment design[R]. SPE 115769, 2008.
[7] MAYERHOFER M J, LOLON E, WARPINSKI N R, et al. What is stimulated reservoir volume?[J]. SPE Production & Operations, 2006, 25(1): 89-98.
[8] ZOU Y S, ZHANG S C, ZHOU T, et al. Experimental investigation into hydraulic fracture network propagation in gas shales using CT scanning technology[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2015, 49(1): 1-13.
[9] 张士诚, 郭天魁, 周彤, 等. 天然页岩压裂裂缝扩展机理试验[J]. 石油学报, 2014, 35(3): 496-503.
ZHANG Shicheng, GUO Tiankui, ZHOU Tong, et al. Fracture propagation mechanism experiment of hydraulic fracturing in natural shale[J]. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 2014, 35(3): 496-503.
[10] 许丹, 胡瑞林, 高玮, 等. 页岩纹层结构对水力裂缝扩展规律的影响[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2015, 42(4): 523-528.
XU Dan, HU Ruilin, GAO Wei, et al. Effects of laminated structure on hydraulic fracture propagation in shale[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2015, 42(4): 523-528.
[11] 侯冰, 陈勉, 程万, 等. 页岩气储层变排量压裂的造缝机制[J]. 岩土工程学报, 2014, 36(11): 2149-2152.
HOU Bing, CHEN Mian, CHENG Wan, et al. Fracture mechanism on shale gas reservoir fracturing with variable pump rate[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2014, 36(11): 2149-2152.
[12] LOCKNER D, BYERLEE J D. Hydrofracture in Weber sandstone at high confining pressure and differential stress[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, 1977, 82(14): 2018-2026.
[13] STANCHITS S, SURDI A, EDELMAN E, et al. Acoustic emission and ultrasonic monitoring of hydraulic fracturing propagation in heterogeneous rock samples[R]. ARMA 12-527, 2012.
[14] STANCHITS S, SURDI A, GATHOGO P, et al. Monitoring the early onset of hydraulic fracturing initiation by acoustic emission and volumetric deformation measurement[R]. ARMA 13-664, 2013.
[15] STANCHITS S, BURGHARDT J, SURDI A. Hydraulic fracturing of heterogeneous rock monitored by acoustic emission[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2015, 48(6): 2513-2527.
[16] 刘玉章, 付海峰, 丁云宏, 等. 层间应力差对水力裂缝扩展影响的大尺度实验模拟与分析[J]. 石油钻采工艺, 2014, 36(4): 88-92.
LIU Yuzhang, FU Haifeng, DING Yunhong, et al. Large scale experimental simulation and analysis of interlayer stress difference effect on hydraulic fracture extension[J]. Oil Drilling & Production Technology, 2014, 36(4): 88-92.
[17] 侯振坤, 杨春和, 王磊, 等. 大尺寸真三轴页岩水平井水力压裂物理模拟试验与裂缝延伸规律分析[J]. 岩土力学, 2016, 37(2): 407-414.
HOU Zhenkun, YANG Chunhe, WANG Lei, et al. Hydraulic fracture propagation of shale horizontal well by large-scale true triaxial physical simulation test[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2016, 37(2): 407-414.
[18] 衡帅, 杨春和, 曾义金, 等. 页岩水力压裂裂缝形态的试验研究[J]. 岩土工程学报, 2014, 36(7): 1243-1251.
HENG Shuai, YANG Chunhe, ZENG Yijin, et al. Experimental study on hydraulic fracture geometry of shale[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2014, 36(7): 1243-1251.
[19] MA X F, ZOU Y S, LI N, et al. Experimental study on the mechanism of hydraulic fracture growth in a glutenite reservoir[J]. Journal of Structure Geology, 2017, 97: 37-47.
[20] ZOU Y S, ZHANG S C, MA X F, et al. Numerical investigation of hydraulic fracture network propagation in naturally fractured shale formations[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2016, 84: 1-13.
[21] ZOU Y S, MA X F, ZHANG S C, et al. Numerical investigation into the influence of bedding plane on hydraulic fracture network propagation in shale formations[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2016, 49(9): 3597-3614.
[22] LI H, ZOU Y S, VALKO P P, et al. Hydraulic fracture height predictions in laminated shale formations using finite element discrete element method[R]. SPE 179129, 2016.
[23] 侯冰, 陈勉, 李志猛, 等. 页岩储集层水力裂缝网络扩展规模评价方法[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2014, 41(6): 763-768.
HOU Bing, CHEN Mian, LI Zhimeng, et al. Propagation area evaluation of hydraulic fracture networks in shale gas reservoirs[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2014, 41(6): 763-768.
[24] OHTSU M. Simplified moment tensor analysis and unified decomposition of acoustic emission source: Application to in situ hydro fracturing test[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research, 1991, 96(4): 6211-6221.
[25] LEI X L, NISHIZAWA O, KUSUNOSE K, et al. Fractal structure of the hypocenter distributions and focal mechanism solutions of acoustic emission in two granites of different grain sizes[J]. Journal of Physics of the Earth, 1992, 40(6): 617-634.
[26] 刘建坡, 刘召胜, 王少泉, 等. 岩石张拉及剪切破裂声发射震源机制分析[J]. 东北大学学报(自然科学版), 2015, 36(11): 1624-1628.
LIU Jianpo, LIU Zhaosheng, WANG Shaoquan, et al. Analysis of acoustic emission source mechanisms for tensile and shear cracks of rock fractures[J]. Journal of Northeastern University (Natural Science), 2015, 36(11): 1624-1628.
[27] YAN W, GE H K, WANG J B, et al. Experimental study of the friction properties and compressive shear failure behaviors of gas shale under the influence of fluids[J]. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2016, 33: 153-161.
[28] MAXWELL S C, CIPOLLA C. What does microseismicity tell us about hydraulic fracturing?[R]. SPE 146932, 2011.
[29] HAMPTON J, FRASH L, GUTIERREZ M. Investigation of laboratory hydraulic fracture source mechanisms using acoustic emission[R]. ARMA 13-315, 2013.
[30] WARPINSKI N R, BRANAGAN P T. Altered-stress fracturing[J]. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1989, 41(9): 990-997.
[31] AGARWAL K, MAYERHOFER M, WARPINSKI N R. Impact of geomechanics on microseismicity[R]. SPE 152835, 2012.
[32] WARPINSKI N R, MAYERHOFER M, AGARWAL K, et al. Hydraulic-fracture geomechanics and microseismic-source mechanisms[J]. SPE Journal, 2013, 18(4): 766-780.
Options
Outlines

/

〈 〉

Copyright © Petroleum Exploration and Development
Address:P. O. Box 910, No.20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Powered by Beijing Magtech Co. Ltd.