Generating seismic pulses by compressive force to map fractures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10215873-B2
Application number	US-201314906194-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 19, 2013
Priority date	Aug 19, 2013
Publication date	Feb 26, 2019
Grant date	Feb 26, 2019

Abstract

The methods described are for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Detectable signals are generated by particles introduced into the fractures. In an exemplary method proppant-like particles are positioned in the formation during fracturing and allowed to generate a signal during or after fracturing activity. The detectable signals generated by the proppant-like particles are used to map fracture space.

First claim

It is claimed:

1. A method for mapping of fractures within a hydrocarbon bearing zone of a subterranean formation, the zone having a wellbore extending therethrough, the method comprising the steps of:
injecting at least one acoustic particle into at least one fracture in the zone of the formation, wherein the at least one acoustic particle comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of tin, zinc, gallium, niobium, indium, any alloy of any of the foregoing metals, and any mixture thereof, and wherein the metal emits a detectable acoustic signal within the fracture upon application of a compressive force; and
detecting said acoustic signal.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of injecting proppant particles into the fracture.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of injecting at least one acoustic particle is performed concurrently with the step of injecting proppant particles.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one acoustic particle further comprises a protective layer.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one acoustic particle further comprises a reactive layer.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of injecting at least one reactive particle into the at least one fracture.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one reactive particle reacts with the reactive layer of the acoustic particle.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compressive force is applied by closure of the fracture.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the compressive force cause reduction of the acoustic particle size in at least one direction.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of ceasing pumping of fracturing fluid.

11. A method for mapping of fractures within a hydrocarbon bearing zone of a subterranean formation, the zone having a wellbore extending therethrough, the method comprising the steps of:
injecting at least one acoustic particle having a protective layer into at least one fracture in the zone of the formation, wherein the at least one acoustic particle comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of tin, zinc, gallium, niobium, indium, any alloy of any of the foregoing metals, and any mixture thereof, and wherein the metal emits a detectable acoustic signal within the fracture upon application of a compressive force;
removing at least a portion of the protective layer of the at least one acoustic particle; and
detecting said acoustic signal.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of removing at least a portion of the protective layer utilizes in situ materials, chemicals, fluid, or compounds found in the formation.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of removing further includes allowing cracking the protective layer with increased pressure.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of cracking the protective layer with increased pressure further comprises increasing pressure by cessation of fracturing activities.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc
• Hallliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Hall Lee J
• Loveless David
• Ersoz Haluk Vefa

Classifications

• G01V1/42 Primary

  using generators in one well and receivers elsewhere or vice versa (G01V1/52 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01V2210/646

  Fractures · CPC title

• E21B47/00

  Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08) · CPC title

• G01V2210/1234

  Hydrocarbon reservoir, e.g. spontaneous or induced fracturing · CPC title

• E21B43/26

  by forming crevices or fractures · CPC title