NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Seismic Fracture Mapping.
- File
- PB81176752.pdf
- Author(s)
- Katz, L. J.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Office of Planning and Resources Management., January 1980, 27 p.
- Abstract
- This report analyzes and interprets seismic data recorded during a massive hydrofracture experiment at an El Paso Natural Gas Company well in Wyoming. Hydrofracturing is a technique employed in oil and gas production, geothermal development, and solution mining to increase permeability of subsurface formations, thereby permitting the flow of fluids. The fractured rocks generate seismic acoustical emissions using a mechanism similar to the natural actions of earthquakes. A major objective of this study was to ascertain if seismic events associated with hydrofracturing can be located by using signal processing techniques. The hydrofracture was monitored by 48 stations consisting of 24 geophone strings and 3-component seismometers which recorded for approximately 12 hours prior to, during, and after the fracture. Analysis of the results indicates the feasibility of fracture mapping using a seismic beam-steering method.
- Keywords
- Solution mining; Permeability; Seismic reflection method; Fracturing; Seismometers; Crude oil; Natural gas; Wyoming; Gas reservoirs; Hydrofracturing; Maps; Rocks; Earthquakes; Fractures (Materials)