Identification of proppant in subterranean fracture zones using a ratio of capture to inelastic gamma rays
US10161237B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 2015 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/11
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Methods are provided for determining the location and height of a fracture in a subterranean formation using pulsed neutron capture (PNC) logging tools. The methods include obtaining a pre-fracture data set, hydraulically fracturing the formation with a slurry that includes a liquid and a proppant in which at least a portion of the proppant is tagged with a thermal neutron absorbing material, obtaining a post-fracture data set, comparing the pre-fracture data set and the post-fracture data set to determine the location of the proppant, and correlating the location of the proppant to a depth measurement of the borehole to determine the location and height of the propped fracture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.