A technique to visualize hydraulic fracturing operations has been developed by Guideline Oil Drilling Technology. The company hopes to have a commercial version available by the end of this year, according to CEO Peter Hjorth. Guideline's approach involves the use of micro-seismics, which it devised originally as a means to locate the drill bit in real time. During field tests in North America, the company noted its potential for fracturing, and is now developing the two applications in parallel. Drill bit localization uses seismic waves generated by the friction between the bit and the rock or sand being drilled. With fracturing, the waves are created by stress relief as the rock fractures under the pressure of the fluid and solid material pumped into it under high pressure. In both cases the signals are registered by an array of receivers deployed at the surface above the well.
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