Potential Fracturable Facies Identification Based from Seismic Attributes and Microseismic from the Barnett Shale, Newark East Field, Texas

Roderick Perez and Roger M. Slatt
School of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

This research is part of a multidisciplinary project with the ambition to integrate different geological and geophysical tools. The integration of geological and geophysical tools was the key to create a complete 3D geological model in the area. A 100 mi² high resolution seismic survey and well tops allow differentiate accurately the Barnett Shale two pay gas zones. Structural seismic attributes were used to identify high natural fractures zones and classify potentially risk zones for hydraulic fractures where these natural fractures could be in contact with water bearing formations. This information could be helpful to improve future hydraulic fracture treatments. Complex and unconventional reservoirs as the Barnett Shale, where natural fractures play a very important role, hydraulic fractures patterns results of stimulation job, become amazingly complex. 3D grid model loaded with fault analysis, facies, and petrophysical properties and it was the result of integration of structural modeling, facies modeling, petrophysical modeling and uncertainty analysis. Plotting Microseismic event locations over the final 3D geological model allow establishes the relation between hydraulic fracture and facies, with the goal to suggest future well drilling locations. Previous works in this area evaluated fracture effectiveness with diary production plots for each well and established empirical relationships according with geometrical parameters of fracture network, lacking in establish a relationship between geology and fracture networks. The final goal of this research is build a bridge between the geological model and the location of Microseismic events with the goal to identify potentially fracturable facies that may optimize hydraulic fracture job and wider fracture zones and consequently increases the fracture effectiveness.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas