USING MICROSEISMIC ACTIVITY TO FACILITATE HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION IN TIGHT SAND AND SHALE RESERVOIRS

摘要

Naturally occurring microseismic events are monitored and utilized to synergistically augment a hydraulic fracturing process. Such events generally originate from the tidal dilational stress that makes it easier for fractures to open and slip. If the hydraulic fracturing process can be scheduled to occur coincident with elevated levels of naturally occurring microseismic activity, the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing can be increased. Accordingly, the resources consumed and the byproducts produced by the hydraulic fracturing process will be reduced as will be other elements of environmental damage. In like manner, where hydraulic fracturing cannot be used, the natural dilational stress may be synergistically enhanced with induced hydraulic pressures that are below the pressures required for conventional hydraulic fracturing. These periods of elevated microseismic activity may also be predicted based on natural cyclic phenomena, such as peak earth tides, which are known to be correlated with periods of higher microseismic activity.