Observations, Learnings, and Validation of Conductive Fracture Imaging

Abstract

A novel diagnostic processing technique called Conductive Fracture Imaging (CFI) measures hydraulic and conductive fractures using microseismic events as a source. The method was applied to three datasets located in onshore unconventional formations in the United States. CFI results were in all cases first delivered independent of any external diagnostic data and only subsequently compared to multiple diagnostics such as microseismic, fiber cross-well strain (CWS), 3D seismic, and recovered core under supervision of Devon Energy’s Subsurface Team. The comparison reveals a reasonable agreement of the CFI results with cross-well strain for both height and transverse conductive fracture growth. CFI was able to image fractures out 1 mile from the observation lateral, with fractures imaged in areas of no microseismic activity. Furthermore, CFI successfully quantified the height growth of fractures aligned with the pre-existing faults and how natural structures influence conductivity fracture distribution. CFI reveals a valid relationship with cored & interpreted conductive, hydraulic, and natural fractures. The method provides dynamic images showing fracture morphology from the near-wellbore into the far-field reservoir. Complimentary analytics of relationships between CFI and reservoir properties, limited entry perforation designs, stress shadowing, and depletion effects may generate significant new observations and key learnings to industry as this technique is more broadly adopted.