Apparatus, method and system for mapping fracture features in hydraulically fractured strata using functional proppant properties

• US 9,261,620 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2012
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micah Thomas Mangione
• Original Assignee: Micah Thomas Mangione
• Inventors: Mangione, Micah Thomas, Townsend, Paul Henson, Duenckel, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Backer, Firmin
• Assistant Examiner(s): MURPHY, JEROLD B
• Application Number:
  US13/672,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20130154846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 367 25- 35, 367 81- 85, 367/86, 175 40- 50, 3408531-8564
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/885 for ground probing prospecting or detecting using electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/12 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/30 operating with electromagnetic waves

Abstract

System and method for deploying multiple antennas in an array configuration with unobstructed electromagnetic access to a formation outside of a casing, sequencing the transmitted signal to control the direction of transmission into the formation, receiving the reflected signals, and locating the position of the reflection based on the scanned transmission signal orientation and the direction of the received signal. Such a deployment of an antenna array with unobstructed electromagnetic access to the formation outside of the casing, sequencing of the interrogation signal, and analysis of the received signal relative to the transmitted signal direction form the basis for reflection image rendering as the transmitted signal is scanned by a sequenced stimulus signal.

Claims

1. A system for characterizing features in a geologic formation proximate to a cased borehole, comprising:

at least one antenna array associated with a wellbore casing and extending beyond the wellbore casing, the at least one antenna array having an unobstructed electromagnetic view of the geologic formation based on the location and amount of proppant disposed within the geologic formation;

a downhole tool comprising an array control module in communication with the at least one antenna array; and

a surface control unit coupled to the downhole tool and in communication with the at least one antenna array, the control arrangement configured to actuate the at least one antenna array to generate sequenced electromagnetic signals;

the at least one antenna array configured to receive reflected electromagnetic signals from the proppant in the geologic formation from the at least one antenna array;

the surface control unit configured to analyze said received electromagnetic signals and generate an image displaying at least one attribute of the geologic formation;

conducting a radar survey loop by the sequence of directing an electromagnetic signal at a first particular direction angle relative to the down hole tool center axis into the geologic formation, and receiving reflection signals for that signal orientation;

analyzing the reflection signals using the physical optics of the transmission and reflection paths;

changing the electromagnetic signal projection angle relative to the down hole tool center axis and repeating steps of receiving reflection signals for that signal orientation and analyzing the reflection signals using the physical optics of the transmission and reflection paths; and

creating a map of the geologic formation using data generated by analyzing the reflections.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the proppant is at least partially treated to increase electromagnetic reflectivity at an operating frequency of the electromagnetic signals generated by the antenna array.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the actuation signal generates a plurality of scanned electromagnetic signals.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the sequenced electromagnetic signals are actuated through multiple interrogation angles.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the same antenna generates the electromagnetic signals and receives the reflected electromagnetic signals.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one antenna array is a phased array.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic signals are generated at a frequency of 30 kHz to 10 GHz, or 10 kHz to 30 GHz, or 300 kHz to 3 GHz.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one antenna array comprises rings of half-wave dipole antennas.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one antenna array is positioned on the outside of the wellbore casing.

10. A method for characterizing features in a geologic formation proximate to a cased borehole, the method comprising the following steps:

deploying proppant into the geologic formation;

deploying at least one antenna array proximate to wellbore casing and that extends beyond the wellbore casing, the at least one antenna array having an unobstructed electromagnetic view of the geologic formation;

generating electromagnetic signals from the at least one antenna array across at least a portion of the geologic formation;

receiving electromagnetic signals reflected from at least a portion of the proppant in the geologic formation; and

processing the reflected signals to generate an image of at least one feature of the geologic formation;

conducting a radar survey loop by the sequence of directing an electromagnetic signal at a first particular direction angle relative to the down hole tool center axis into the geologic formation, and receiving reflection signals for that signal orientation;

analyzing the reflection signals using the physical optics of the transmission and reflection paths;

changing the electromagnetic signal projection angle relative to the down hole tool center axis and repeating steps of receiving reflection signals for that signal orientation and analyzing the reflection signals using the physical optics of the transmission and reflection paths; and

creating a map of the geologic formation using data generated by analyzing the reflection signals.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one antenna array transmits at least one frequency and the proppant is treated to increase reflectivity at the at least one frequency.

12. The method of claim 10, further including the steps of performing a first survey, comprising at least one scan through at least one region, performing a fracturing operation to inject proppant into at least one fracture within at least a portion of the at least one region, and then performing a second survey, comprising at least one scan through the at least one region and comparing the results to determine at least one outcome of the fracturing operation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one antenna array generates electromagnetic signals at a frequency and at least a portion of the proppant is treated to increase reflectivity at the frequency.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the geologic formation includes proppant disposed within at least one fracture and the image comprising at least a representation of the location of the fracture.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the generated electromagnetic signals are actuated through multiple interrogation angles.

16. The method of claim 10 that further includes the step of positioning the at least one antenna array on the outside of the wellbore casing prior to the wellbore casing being installed in a borehole.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the same antenna generates the electromagnetic signals and receives the reflected electromagnetic signals.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein the antenna array comprises rings of half-wave dipole antennas.

19. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one antenna array is a phased array.

20. The method of claim 10 wherein the electromagnetic signals are generated at a frequency of 30 kHz to 10 GHz, or 10 kHz to 30 GHz, or 300 kHz to 3 GHz.