A method for determining change in stress in a reservoir formation includes inducing a pressure pulse in a first well hydraulically connected by a fracture to the reservoir formation. A stress-related attribute of the fracture is determined from reflection events detected in pressure measurement made in the first well as a result of the inducing the pressure pulse. The inducing and determining are repeated to estimate changes in the stress-related attribute with respect to time.
E21B 43/26 - Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures
E21B 47/095 - Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes by detecting acoustic anomalies, e.g. using mud-pressure pulses
E21B 43/267 - Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures reinforcing fractures by propping
E21B 47/09 - Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
E21B 49/00 - Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
G01V 1/40 - Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting specially adapted for well-logging
G01V 11/00 - Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups
2.
FRACTURE LENGTH AND FRACTURE COMPLEXITY DETERMINATION USING FLUID PRESSURE WAVES
A method to measure fracture length and geometry/complexity from pressure decay and diffusion and near wellbore conductivity measurements with far-field conductivity estimates.
A method for characterizing a hydraulic fracture in a subsurface formation includes inducing a pressure change in a well drilled through the subsurface formation. At least one of pressure and pressure time derivative are measured in or at a location proximate to a wellhead for a selected length of time. At least one of a physical parameter, a time derivative, and a change in the parameter with respect to time of the physical parameter of at least one fracture is determined using the measured at least one of pressure and the time derivative of pressure.
E21B 49/00 - Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
4.
METHOD FOR EVALUATING AND MONITORING FORMATION FRACTURE TREATMENT USING FLUID PRESSURE WAVES
A method for characterizing a hydraulic fracture in a subsurface formation includes inducing a pressure change in a well drilled through the subsurface formation. At least one of pressure and pressure time derivative are measured in or at a location proximate to a wellhead for a selected length of time. At least one of a physical parameter, a time derivative, and a change in the parameter with respect to time of the physical parameter of at least one fracture is determined using the measured at least one of pressure and the time derivative of pressure.
E21B 49/00 - Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
5.
METHOD FOR EVALUATING AND MONITORING FORMATION FRACTURE TREATMENT CLOSURE RATES AND PRESSURES USING FLUID PRESSURE WAVES
A method for characterizing a hydraulic fracture in a subsurface formation, includes inducing a pressure change in a well drilled through the subsurface formation. Pressure and/or a time derivative thereof is measured at a location proximate to a wellhead for a selected length of time. A conductivity of at least one fracture is determined using the measured at least one of pressure and the time derivative of pressure. A change in the determined conductivity with respect to time is determined.
E21B 47/01 - Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
G01V 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
G01N 15/08 - Investigating permeability, pore volume, or surface area of porous materials
6.
METHOD FOR FRACTURING ACTIVITY AND INTENSITY MONITORING AND PRESSURE WAVE RESONANCE ANALYSIS
A method for characterizing a hydraulic fracture treatment both operationally and in a subsurface formation includes inducing a pressure change in a well drilled through the subsurface formation. At least one of pressure and a time derivative of pressure is measured in the well for a selected length of time. At least one physical parameter of at least one fracture is determined using the measured pressure and/or the time derivative of pressure. A method of evaluating hydraulic fracturing treatment and operations by monitoring resonant structures present while fracturing. A method for characterizing hydraulic fracturing rate uses microseismic event count measured through the wellbore and its real-time implementation.
A method for evaluating a wellbore treatment includes inducing an acoustic wave in the wellbore prior to treatment. Acoustic energy propagating as pressure waves in the wellbore is detected. A formation in fluid communication with the wellbore is treated. The inducing an acoustic wave and detecting acoustic energy are repeated. A characteristic of the treatment is determined based on differences between the detected acoustic energy prior to the treating and at the end of the treating. In some embodiments, the observed differences are then also compared to differences observed in prior treatment stages to assess benefit of changes to treatment design. In some embodiments, the treatment design parameters are continuously iterated, adjusted, and improved to maximize the contribution to production of all subsequent stages in same or any other well.
patents
