Since hydraulic fracture well stimulation was introduced in the early 1950’s, the technique has expanded greatly, both in usage and sophistication. Fracturing job costs may in certain circumstances range upwards to 100% of the well drilling cost. In addition, fracture stimulation is now needed for waterflood projects and EOR. The highly conductive path generated by fracturing can extend some distance away from the wellbore and can be mapped by microseismic methods. This provides verification of the fracture location and that the fracture operation is performing as required. If not, subsequent  fracture operations can be modified to perform more efficiently. Baker Atlas’ microseismic monitoring of hydraulic fracturing treatment can be used to map or orientate the propped fracture

Detection of microseismic events can be performed in either a nearby observation well or from the treatment well itself. Monitoring from the treatment well allows the measurement of fluid and hammer pulses which cannot be seen from an observation well as they only travel within fluid. In addition, rock and shear slip events can also be seen from an observation well

Applications