Fracture Anisotropy Modeling

BENEFITS
I

Plan a completion program to

avoid damaging natural fractures
Predict complex hydraulic
fracture geometry
Calibrate seismic and reservoir
attributes for future
well placement

APPLICATIONS
I

I
I

Automatic zoning of open

natural fractures and differential
horizontal stress for hydraulic
fracture design
Discrimination between drillinginduced and natural fractures
Well placement within
fractured reservoirs
Seismic attribute calibration
Interpretation of microseismic
results for complex fracturing
Fracture compliance
attributes for coupled reservoirstress simulation

Image and sonic log integration for stress and fracture

anisotropy characterization
KEY CONCEPT FOR QUANTITATIVE INTEGRATION

Fracture Anisotropy Modeling is an integrated methodology designed to model and interpret borehole dipole
sonic anisotropy related to the effect of geological fractures using a forward modeling approach. This method
provides a consistent approach to interpretation by integrating borehole images and sonic logs that probe the
formation at different depths of investigation around the borehole. With this information you can discriminate
between productive and nonproductive fractures, and thus plan a completion program to avoid damaging
natural fractures, predict complex hydraulic fracture geometry, and calibrate seismic and reservoir attributes
for future well placement.
The methodology uses a classical excess-compliance fracture model that relies on the orientation of the
individual fractures, the elastic properties of the host rock, and the normal and tangential fracture compliance
parameters. Orientations of individual fractures are extracted from borehole image log analysis (FMI* Fullbore
Formation MicroImager, UBI* Ultrasonic Borehole Imager, and OBMI* Oil-Base MicroImager). Figure 1
illustrates the concept of combining the image interpretation with the Sonic Scanner* acoustic scanning
platform anisotropy results into a fracture model, resulting in an interpretation that diagnoses the stress and
fracture state around the borehole.

Fracturedriven

10,150

FEATURES
I

Consistent interpretation
between borehole image
and sonic logs
Fully 3D fracture and stress
modeling in vertical, deviated,
and horizontal wellbores
Graphical display with colored
flags indicating different
anisotropy mechanisms
fractures, stress, or mixed
Unbiased zoning of the reservoir
to predict complex hydraulic
fracturing
Distinguishing between productive
and nonproductive fractures
for single or multiwell reservoir
simulation

Stressdriven
10,200

Mixed
effect
Fracture model

10,250

Image log
interpretation

Sonic Scanner
anisotropy

Data versus
prediction

Zoning

Figure 1. Concept for Fracture Anisotropy Modeling. Image interpretation with Sonic Scanner anisotropy is integrated with
a fracturing model to determine the source of anisotropy.

Fracture Anisotropy Modeling

HIGH-RESOLUTION SONIC AND IMAGE LOGS

FIELD TEST IN THE US ROCKIES

Sonic Scanner acoustic scanning platform is the latest waveform sonic

acquisition tools with its 13 axial receivers. It provides comprehensive
acquisition of broadband waveforms from all borehole modesmonopole, dipole, and Stoneley. The dipole source is fired in chirp mode,
sweeping the formation with a frequency range of 900 to 9,000 Hz. The
high-resolution waveforms produce flexural-wave anisotropy results
to a resolution of 2% for detecting sonic anisotropy.

The model was first validated using borehole resistivity image and
sonic logs in a gas-sand reservoir over a 160-ft vertical well interval.
Significant amounts of sonic anisotropy were observed in 3 zones with
a fast-shear azimuth exhibiting 60 of variation and slowness difference between 2% and 16%. Numerous quasivertical fractures with
varying dip azimuths were identified on the image log at the locations
of strong sonic anisotropy. The maximum horizontal stress direction,
given by breakouts and drilling-induced fractures, was shown not
to be aligned with the strike of natural fractures (Figure 2). Stoneley
wave analysis combined with the image interpretation showed that
the majority of the natural fractures were open and permeable.

Resistivity or ultrasonic image data from the FMI imager, OBMI imager,
or UBI imager can provide high-resolution electrical or acoustic
contrasts between the formation and drilling fluid along the borehole
wall. The images quantify the fracture attributes such as dip, aperture,
porosity, and trace length. Combining the acoustic and image data
permits the borehole and surrounding formation to be characterized
for quality and quantity of the fractures.

10,100

10,150

10,200

10,250

Coal

Hole Enlarge

Bit Size
RHOB
in
15
2 g/cm3 0 5
MD
Sonde Deviation
1:240
-10
deg
90
ft
MaxEne Hole Azimuth
deg
360
1
100 0
MinEne
SenAzi:P1AZ
0
deg
360
0
100
Hole Diameter
OffEne
5
in
15
Gamma Ray
0
gAPI 150

Fast Shear Az Time-based Anisotropy

0
-90
deg
90 100
DT-based Anisotropy
Azimuth Uncer 0
100
DTSM_SLOW_DTSM_S
us/ft
DTSM_FAST_DTSM_F
us/ft
Fast Shear DT
250
us/ft
50
Slow Shear DT
250
us/ft
50
Shear Difference

Level 11:SLOW_1
FVTL Open Fracture
S-Se
Stoneley Apert
2,000
us
6,000
10
(1/ft)
0 0
Level 11: FAST_1
ModelStoneley
FVPA Open Fracture
FWID_DF
3
3
2,000
us
6,000 300 (us/ft) 195 0
(ft /ft )
0
(in)
0.25 0.01
FPERM_DF
Window Stop
Washout
2,000
us
6,000
1,000
(mD)
1e+08
Caliper
Window Start
Stoneley Perm
2,000
us
6,000 4
(in)
14
BS
Processing Window
4
(in)
14
DT: Stoneley
300 (us/ft) 195
Gamma Ray
0
(gAPI) 150

Stoneley VDL

(us)

Figure 2. Detailed Sonic Scanner anisotropy (left) and Stoneley fracture analysis (right) interpretation from US Rocky
Mountains. Dipole sonic anisotropy results are used as input to the Fracture Anisotropy Modeling. Rose diagram (top right)
indicates that there are two dominant directions of anisotropy caused by stress and fractures. Red is stress direction.
Blue is fracture strike.

20,440

Using just two adjustable fracture compliance parameters, one for

natural fractures and one for drilling-induced fractures, is an excellent
first-order approximation to explain the fracture-induced anisotropy
response over a depth interval of 130 ft. Predicted fast-shear azimuth
matches measured fast-shear azimuth over 130 ft of the 160-ft studied
interval (Figure 3). Predicted slowness anisotropy matches the overall
variation and measured values of anisotropy for two of the three strong
anisotropy zones.
DISCRIMINATION OF FRACTURE AND STRESS EFFECTS FOR
COMPLETION DESIGN

Analysis of each independent fracture type showed that the anisotropy

was mainly driven by open or partially healed fractures, but it was also
consistent with stress-related, drilling-induced fractures. Therefore,
the measured sonic anisotropy was caused by the combination of
stress and fracture effects where the predominance of one mechanism
over the other was depth-dependent. This information led to the design
of an automatic algorithm that provides colored zones for the different
mechanisms: fracture-driven, stress-driven, and the combination of
both (Figures 3 and 4). Such information can be used for improving the
design of hydraulic fracture and completion strategy. When making the
decision to stage zoning for hydraulic fracture stimulation, grouping
reservoir intervals with similar stress profiles was important for
maximum efficiency. However, the complexity of the hydraulic fracture
Fractures
MINXENE
0
100
OffEne
MAXXENE
0
100 0

Fracture
Fracture
Dip
& Strike
Dip and
Strike
Gamma Ray
gAPI

150

that initiated at the wellbore wall depended on the orientation and

magnitude of the present-day stress compared with the dip and strike
of the natural fractures.
IMPACT ON WELL PLACEMENT AND RESERVOIR DRAINAGE PATTERNS

The relationship between present-day stress and natural fracture

orientation defines reservoir drainage geometry, thus impacting future
well placement for field development. Hydraulic fracturing fluids that
leak off into the fractured formation may not efficiently extend into
the reservoir as designed. In Figure 5, two scenarios are presented
in which the present-day stress field is at an oblique angle to the
fracture strike direction. Figure 5a shows a hydraulic fracture that has
a relatively short half-length because of the inefficiency of the treatment
caused by the leakoff of the fluids into the fractures. Figure 5b depicts
a hydraulic fracture that is propagated across multiple fracture sets
with limited leakoff. Bridging packages that combine variable-sized
proppant and dissolving material, such as FiberFRAC* fiber-based
fracturing fluid technology, allow for the natural fractures to be
temporarily plugged, thus maintaining the efficiency of the propped
hydraulic fracture.

Stress-driven

Azimuth uncertainty
Stress
Measured Azimuth (Sonic)
Both
-90
deg
90
Predicted Frac Azimuth (FMI)
-90
90 Undefined

Natural fracture-driven

10,150

Stress- and natural fracture-driven

10,200

Figure 3. Final GeoFrame results for the Fracture Anisotropy Modeling with automatic zoning of the anisotropy mechanism.

Figure 4. Schematic diagram of three mechanical scenarios that might occur

while hydraulically fracturing the medium: (a) the hydraulic-fracture propagates
in a direction orthogonal to the minimum principal stress; (b) only the system
of natural fractures is reactivated and eventually extended; and (c) both newly
generated hydraulic fractures and natural fractures intersect and propagate
in a complex manner.

Fracture Anisotropy Modeling

Achieved Geometry

Preferred Geometry

Depletion
Shadow

Figure 5a

Figure 5b

Figure 5. Two scenarios of drainage patterns in naturally fractured reservoirs.

Fracture Anisotropy Modeling helps to design well stimulation programs to
achieve preferred depletion geometry.

SCALEABLE RESULTS FOR VERTICAL SEISMIC PROFILE AND

SEISMIC INTEGRATION

Fracture-induced and stress-induced anisotropy directions obtained

at the borehole scale can be easily upscaled to vertical seismic profile
and seismic scales using this fracture forward modeling approach.
Nonambiguous anisotropy mechanisms can be attributed to 3D seismic
maps for integrated reservoir approach.
DEVELOPING A NEW APPLICATION FOR INTEGRATED
RESERVOIR SYSTEMS

A new application was created in GeoFrame* integrated reservoir

characterization system that provides one piece of the near-wellbore
geomechanical model in naturally fractured reservoirs. It discriminates
the effect of natural fractures from those of the stress field on the
elastic medium. It gives preferential directions of the elastic medium
for different depth zones and a mechanism for when the principal
stress directions and the fracture planes are not aligned.

www.slb.com/dcs

*Mark of Schlumberger
Copyright 2007 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 07-DC-130