Methods and systems for determining reservoir properties of subterranean formations with pre-existing fractures
US7389185B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B49/008
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for evaluating subsurface earth oil and gas formations. More particularly, methods and systems are provided for determining reservoir properties such as reservoir transmissibilities and average reservoir pressures of formation layer(s) using quantitative refracture-candidate diagnostic methods. The methods herein may use pressure falloff data from the introduction of an injection fluid at a pressure above the formation fracture pressure to analyze reservoir properties. The model recognizes that a new induced fracture creates additional storage volume in the formation and that a quantitative refracture-candidate diagnostic test in a layer may exhibit variable storage during the pressure falloff, and a change in storage may be observed at hydraulic fracture closure. From the estimated formation properties, the methods may be useful for, among other things, determining whether a pre-existing fracture is damaged and evaluating the effectiveness of a previous fracturing treatment to determine whether a formation requires restimulation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.