Method and an apparatus for evaluating a geometry of a hydraulic fracture in a rock formation
US7819181B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V3/26
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The methods of evaluating a geometry of a hydraulic fracture in a rock formation penetrated by a borehole comprises the steps of measuring the values of electric or magnetic fields, or both electric and magnetic fields generated due to the electrokinetic effect by the flow of an electrolyte-based fracturing fluid from the borehole into the fracture and from the fracture into the formation or by the reverse flow of the fluid from the rock formation and from the fracture into the borehole and determining the geometry of the fracture from the measured values. The methods may provide for varying the injection pressure, varying the value of the electrokinetic coupling coefficient of the fracturing fluid or applying at least one pressure pulse of a given magnitude to the fracturing fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.