GeoFracture

Real-Time Fracture Characterization

GeoFracture identifies open fractures including hard to detect micro-fractures, in real-time. GEOLOG specialists identify changes in matrix permeability, open fractures, and drilling induced fractures through the accurate surface measurement of flow IN and flow OUT with high resolution flowmeters. This, combined with gas interpretation support specialists provides enhanced formation evaluation to better characterize reservoir properties.

Resources

Brochures

GEOLOG Corporate Brochure
GeoFracture
Geothermal
Technical Papers

Probabilistic assessment of equivalent fracture aperture constrained on quasi-real‑time drilling mud loss data
Sensitivity Analysis and Quantification of the Role of Governing Transport Mechanisms and Parameters in a Gas Flow Model for Low-Permeability Porous Media
Quantification of Uncertainties of Fracture Permeability via Mud Loss Information and Inverse Stochastic Modeling
Integrated Reservoir Characterization Aids Target Selection, Production Fluid Prediction and Completions Optimization in the Southern Delaware Basin Resource Plays
Measurement and Anal. of Wellbore Micro Losses and Rock Prop. While Drilling: A Novel Approach to Identification of Fractures in the Osage and Meramec Formations of Anadarko Basin
Real-Time Adv. Mud Returns Flow Anal. with Adv. Mud Gas and Elemental Anal. on Drill Cuttings Aids Fracture Detection and Interpretation in Unconv. Reservoirs
Application of Advanced Surface Logging for an Integrated Reservoir Characterization
Application of Semi Analytical Model for Drilling Mud Losses Interpretation in Fractured Formations
Use of Advanced Mud Gas Chromatography for Reservoir Quality Prediction While Drilling
Cost-Effective Reservoir Characterization from Advanced Surface Logging Technologies in Unconventional Reservoirs
Evaluation of a Fractured Tight Reservoir in Real-Time
Real Time Advanced Flow Analysis for Early Kick/Loss Detection & Identification of Open Fractures
Real Time Advanced Surface Flow Analysis for Detection of Open Fractures
Surface Logging for Fractured Reservoirs
Characterization of Conductive Fractures While Drilling
Case Studies

GeoFracture Identifies Open Fractures in Real-Time using Advanced Mud Flow Measurements
GeoFracture saves US$250,000+ and 1+ Days NPT Potential by avoiding image logs

Benefits

Real-time detection of open fractures while drilling
Identification of micro-fracture zones
Ability to differentiate between induced and naturally occurring fractures
Obtain fracture density for optimizing testing and completion program
Surface logging solution with no associated downhole tool risk
Correlate gas associated with fractures
Enhanced Early Kick/Losses Detection as sensitive as 10 l/min

Challenges
& Solutions

Detecting open fractures with wireline tools can be difficult in the presence of oil based muds, heavy mud weights and wells with high rugosity. Under these conditions downhole tools are unable to differentiate naturally occurring open, healed, micro-fractures and drilling induced fractures. Seismic logs are also unable to provide the detail required to evaluate these fractures.

The solution is to detect micro-losses at surface using highly accurate Coriolis or Electromagnetic flowmeters; detecting changes as small as 10 l/min. These micro-losses can be evaluated in real-time against the GEOLOG fracture model to characterize fractures as natural open, drilling induced, micro-fractures, and permeability changes regardless of the their aperture and the borehole geometry. GeoFracture is unaffected by mud properties and borehole conditions, thereby providing consistent and accurate results with no down hole risk.

Applications

GeoFracture can be used onshore and offshore on jack up, fixed platform and floating rigs. The service is compatible with both oil based and water based mud systems.

Suitable for exploration and appraisal projects where identifying fractures helps with reservoir assessment. In development wells GeoFracture analysis is vital to optimize the completion program while minimizing evaluation costs.

“With no wireline logs and working purely from the micro-losses recorded while drilling we were able to set our packers to isolate each fracture zone for individual testing.”

Petroceltic

Case History

Identify Open Fractures in Real-Time Using Surface Measurements

An open fracture was detected at 3086 m while drilling a carbonate reservoir section. Fracture signature in the black DeltaFlow curve (Figure 1) matches the characteristics of a natural open fracture (Figure 3). The presence of the fracture was confirmed through the Image Log recorded at the end of the section as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1. (Left). The curve in black is the Delta Flow which matches the signature of a natural open fracture in the next image of the gallery.
Figure 2. (Right). Imaging log confirming a large open fracture.

Figure 3. Fracture models used to compare responses in Delta Flow.

Specifications
GeoFracture

Measurement Mud flow l/min	0- 10,000/min
Resolution Accuracy	10 l/min 1% of flow reading

Reservoir and Source Rock Evaluation Services

Discover our services

“With no wireline logs and working purely from the micro-losses recorded while drilling we were able to set our packers to isolate each fracture zone for individual testing.”

Petroceltic

Case History