Identification of Activated Fracture Networks Using Microseismic Spatial Anomalies, b-values, and Magnitude Analyses in Horn River Basin

Abstract

AbstractWe analyzed microseismic spatial and temporal distribution, magnitudes, b-values and treatment data to interpret and explain the observed anomalies in microseismic events recorded during exploitation of Shale Gas reservoirs in the Horn River Basin of Canada.We estimated the directional diffusivity to define the microseismicity front curve for each stage of hydraulic fracturing. Based on our definition of front curves, we managed to separate most of the microseismic events data that are related to natural fracture activation from hydraulic fracturing events. We analyzed the b-values for microseismic events of each stage before and after separating fracture activation microseismic events from original data and created a map of b-values in the study area. This allowed us to locate activated fractures mostly in the northeastern part of the study well pad. The b- value map agrees with our assumption of activated fracture locations and high ratio of seismic activities.Suggested fracture locations agree with anomalous events' density, energy distribution and treatment data. We are defining and proposing intermediate b-values for calculation of the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) in areas with both hydraulically fractured events and events related to natural fracture network activation in those instances where the separation of events based on their origin is not viable.