Method for determining the azimuth and length of a deep vertical fracture in the earth
US4524434A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/30
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
In the hydraulic fracturing of deep geologic formations for the production of fluid hydrocarbons, and where vertical fractures are formed, a method is described, using seismic geophysical techniques, for determining the azimuth and length of the fractures. This is accomplished by injecting into the formation through the fracture a selected fluid, or producing the fluid hydrocarbons from the formation into the fracture, until the formation, over a selected distance from the walls of the fracture, has a different gas saturation from the condition in the formation farther from the fracture. This condition is mapped by seismic methods.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.