Fractured reservoirs come alive with offset vector tile technology: A new processing algorithm indicates fracture orientation

摘要

Resource plays are one of the most active exploration arenas in the world. Many of them consist of fractured formations containing large amounts of gas. The challenge with many of these prospects is not just discovery, but also production and exploitation. Although certain attributes have proven successful at predicting the existence of natural fractures in the formations, they have fallen short of indicating the orientation of such fractures. Fracture orientation is an important piece of information required for successful steering of a well path, especially when dealing with highly deviated or horizontal drilling. With the advent of wide azimuth acquisition surveys, it is possible to do the proper data processing in the azimuthal domain.