Downhole electrical detection of hydraulic fractures in GT-2 and EE-1

Abstract

Electrical geophysical methods including mise a la masse and self-potential (SP) for determination of hydraulic fracture characteristics were used at the hot dry rock geothermal project. Electrical and induction logs indicated that the resistivity contrast between the granite and 200/sup 0/C water at the 2926-m (9600-ft) depth is a factor of 1000 or more. Thus the water in a hydraulic fracture, formed to connect two adjacent deep holes, is a good conductor compared to the confining granite. Mise a la masse-type measurements were made to help determine the characteristics for hydraulic fractures formed in each of the two geothermal holes GT-2 and EE-1. Once a hydraulic fracture has been formed, mise a la masse effects are obtained both with the fracture pressurized above hydrostatic and when depressurized to hydrostatic. This indicates that once the fracture has been created, enough natural propping exists that a conductive zone persists even when the fracture is deflated. A fracture was formed in a 18-m (60-ft) zone immediately below 1957 m (6420 ft) in EE-1. Later a set of SP logs was run in this zone with no pressure, with pressure building, with pressure decreasing, and again with the fracture depressurized. Results show that duringmore » times of change of parameters in hydraulically fractured regions in the hole, natural SP logging helps to determine the position of the fracture. However, after a fracture has come to equilibrium with fluid parameters such as temperature, pressure, salinity, and pH, an effect of the fracture may not be evident. Self-potential logs provide an excellent method for locating the bottom of steel casing that has been set in the hole.« less