Methods for locating formation fractures and monitoring well completion using streaming potential transients information

US7243718B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Min-Yi Chen · West Redding, US
• Bhavani Raghuraman · Wilton, US
• Ian Bryant · Ridgefield, US
• Michael Supp · Middlebury, US
• Jose Navarro · Oslo, NO

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 18, 2004
• Grant date: Jul 17, 2007
• Expiry date: Mar 25, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V3/265
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Earth formations are characterized by using an array of electrodes which can measure streaming potentials in the formation, and by interpreting the data obtained by the electrodes. The electrodes are placed on a wireline tool, a LWD tool, or in a fixed manner about a completed wellbore. The measured streaming potentials are generated by drilling with an overbearing pressure, slitting the mudcake in a borehole, acid injection, or any of various other manners which causes fluid movement. The data obtained is interpreted to locate fractures, measure formation permeability, estimate formation pressure, monitor drilling fluid loss, detect abnormal pressure, etc. Particularly, a streaming potential voltage transient having a double peak profile signifies the presence of a formation fracture.