Methods for borehole measurements of fracturing pressures

• US 8,408,296 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2010
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Edwards, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P
• Application Number:
  US12/858,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20120043077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 166/250.1, 166/308.1, 166/100, 166/177.5
• US Class Current: 166/250.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/26 by forming crevices or fractures
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/06 Measuring temperature or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/008 by injection test; by analysing pressure variations in an injection or production test, e.g. for estimating the skin factor measuring pressure E21B47/06
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

There is provided a method of testing a subterranean formation for fracture condition, including the steps of creating a side bore into the wall of a well traversing the formation, sealing the wall around the side bore to provide a pressure seal between the side bore and the well, pressurizing the side bore beyond a pressure inducing formation fracture while maintaining the seal and monitoring the pressure to identify the fracture condition.

Claims

1. A method of testing a subterranean formation for a fracture condition, comprising:

creating a side bore into a wall of a well traversing said formation;

sealing said wall around the side bore to provide a pressure seal between said side bore and said well;

pressurizing the side bore beyond a pressure inducing formation fracture while maintaining said seal; and

monitoring the pressure to identify said fracture condition.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the side bore is drilled in a direction of the maximum horizontal stress.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the formation is uncased at the location of the side bore.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the formation is a low permeability formation.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the formation is a low permeability formation of less than 100 mD.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein pressurizing the side bore includes the step of pumping a fluid into said side bore.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the volume of fluid is less than 50 liters.

8. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the volume of fluid is less than 20 liters.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of pressurizing the side bore while maintaining said seal is repeated.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of pressurizing the side bore while maintaining the seal is repeated to determine a fracture reopening pressure.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining the seal while pressurizing the side bore is achieved solely by the pad surrounding the side bore without the use of further packers or similar mechanical sealing means.