Method and apparatus for remote characterization of faults in the vicinity of boreholes
US7529624B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/50
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for characterization of fault conditions within a subterranean volume. In one embodiment, the system comprises means for mathematically modeling stress conditions, to predict breakout conditions along a borehole trajectory. The system further comprises means for sensing actual breakout conditions along the borehole . Predictive breakout data is compared with sensed breakout conditions to assess correlation between predictive data and actual data, verifying the accuracy of the stress model. The mathematical model may be revised to reflect the presence of an active fault plane in the volume, the presumed fault plane not being intersected by the borehole. The revised model is used to generate new predictive data. Revising the stress model and assessing correlation between predictive and actual breakout conditions is repeatable to achieve an optimally accurate stress model reflecting fault conditions proximal to but not necessarily penetrated by the borehole.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.