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System and method for determining earth fracture propagation

  • US 5,963,508 A
  • Filed: 02/14/1994
  • Issued: 10/05/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for determining the location of a hydraulic fracture extension within an earth formation zone of interest in real time wherein said hydraulic fracture is extendable from a fluid injection well in said earth formation, comprising the steps of:

  • determining an azimuth defining an expected direction of extension of said hydraulic fracture from said injection well;

    injecting fluid comprising fluid wastes or a slurry of particulate solids into said injection well to extend a fracture from said injection well while simultaneously sensing micro-earthquake events resulting from extension of said fracture;

    placing a plurality of seismic event sensors at predetermined positions with respect to said injection well;

    said sensors providing signals to a real-time signal monitoring system including means for displaying signals from selected ones of said sensors at a predetermined minimum time after the occurrence of said events;

    converting a selected number of signals from said sensors to digital format, momentarily storing said digital signals and transferring said digital signals, at will, to one of a signal storage device and an electronic memory device;

    identifying each of a predetermined number of said signals as a function of time prior to transferring said signals to said one of said storage device and said memory device;

    retrieving from said memory device a selected number of signals which have a predetermined amplitude for a predetermined time;

    transmitting said selected signals to another storage device and displaying said signals; and

    determining a boundary point of said fracture with respect to the position of at least one of said sensors which receives a seismic signal caused by extension of said fracture earlier than said seismic signal is received by others of said sensors and displaying the location and extension of said fracture.

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