Microseismic Processing, Interpretation, and Applications

Day 1

Introduction to Microseismic Monitoring and Fundamentals.

• Overview
• Fundamentals
• Monitoring systems and configurations
• Event Location: basics and principles
• Advanced processing
• Examples

Day 2

Microseismic Interpretation, Quality Assurance of Events Data, and Qualitative Interpretation Methods.

1. Overview of microseismic interpretation, applications, and objectives

2. Historical perspective of fracturing theory and microseismic measurements

• Early studies – M-Site, Cotton Valley, Barnett Shale and implications on the understanding of fracture geometry
• Images of hydraulic fractures (mine-back and outcrops)
• Current understanding of the significance of microseismic events

3. Quality control of microseismic event for interpretation

• Magnitude versus distance
• Signal quality parameters
• Uncertainty
• Monitoring configurations – special considerations for detection and uncertainty
• Surface microseismic
• Time synchronization with treatment data
• Waveform measurements and display

4. Qualitative interpretation methods and applications

• Dimension and azimuths
• Stimulated volume estimates
• Time-dependent behavior
• Case history 1 – Comparison of fracture geometry from two different pumping schedule designs

5. Discussion topic – What is ESV/SRV and its relevance in interpretations of fracture geometry and well performance?

Day 3

Sources of Microseismic Events during Fracturing, Failure Mechanisms, Source Parameters and Source Wave Radiation Patterns.

1. Waveforms and spectral analysis

• Expanded description of microseismic event source mechanism properties
• Spectral analysis to determine source wave mechanisms (Brune model)
• Source parameters – moment, moment-magnitude, radius, and stress drop

2. Event magnitudes and interpretation

• Event magnitude distributions (b-value)
• Interpretation of b-values and event magnitude catalogs
• Case history 1 re-visited – Interpretation of event magnitudes and distributions

3. Seismic moment and applications

• Explanation of seismic moment parameter and its relationship to event magnitudes
• Cumulative moment versus ESV/SRV as a qualitative evaluation tool
• Cumulative moment versus time
• Cumulative moment versus depth
• Case history 2 – Induced stresses and effects on microseismic response in a single-well completion

4. Source wave radiation patterns and source wave amplitudes

• Failure mechanisms and source-wave radiation patterns
• P/S Amplitude ratio
• Hypothetical modeling of amplitude ratios in strike-slip and dip-slip failures
• Qualitative interpretations of fracture complexity using amplitude ratios
• Case history 3 – Interpretation of failure mechanisms using surface and downhole microseismic data

5. Introduction to moment-tensor inversion, visualization, and interpretation

• Inversion process and monitoring requirements
• Moment-tensor visualization – Beachballs, Hough plots, E-O-S visualization
• Interpretation of the moment-tensor inversion

6. Discussion topic – How does what has been learned so far bring value to completion and hydraulic fracture treatment design?

Day 4

Data Integration and Interpretation Applications

1. Data integration and geological context

• External factors that can influence microseismic responses
• Formation tops and surfaces
• Mechanical earth models
• Visualization and interpretation in a well-described geological model

2. Interpretations for fracture treatment and completion design optimization in vertical wells

• Fracture dimensions and azimuths
• Height containment and staging design in vertical wells
• Well spacing considerations

3. Interpretations for fracture treatment and completion design optimization in vertical wells

• Fracture orientation and well path
• Well spacing considerations and interference with offset wells
• Well landing point evaluations
• Induced stresses and effects on fracture geometry in pad completions
• Special considerations when reservoir pressure depletion is present

4. Discussion topic – Can microseismic data determine proppant placement and predict well performance?

Day 5

Integrated Microseismic Interpretation and Fracture Modeling.

• Case history of fracture modeling and microseismic measurements in a vertical well (conventional reservoir)
• Case history of fracture modeling and microseismic measurements in a horizontal well (unconventional reservoir)
  • Wrap-up and conclusion