Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas | Geophysics and Seismic Interpretation
Improved Hydraulic Fracture Design Using Microseismic Imaging
This course covers the fundamentals of microseismic imaging including survey design, data processing, and the interpretation of fracture images. Participants will gain a practical understanding of hydraulic fracture stimulation, completions, and reservoir characterization to optimize field development.
Schedule
Duration and Training Method
This two-day class utilizes lecture materials, exercises, and recent case history examples from tight sand and shale reservoirs.
Course Overview
Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn to:
- Investigate fracture mechanics theory, field operations and equipment, and assess technologies and factors that can influence hydraulic fracture growth.
- Evaluate various microseismic monitoring configurations including vertical, horizontal, multi-well, down hole, surface, and shallow buried arrays.
- Examine the sequence of data processing steps required to accurately image microseismic events.
- Estimate the sensitivity, resolution and confidence of microseismic images, and QC the results.
- Integrate best industry practices when contracting for microseismic services.
Course Content
Basics of hydraulic fracturing
- Theory of fracture mechanics
- Field operations
- Design challenges
Acquisition and pre-survey design
- Acquisition alternatives
- Design optimization
Basic data processing of microseismic data
- Data processing workflows
- Significance of the velocity model
- Quality control considerations
Geomechanics of microseismic deformation
- Microseismic source characterization
- Microseismic responses to frac deformation
Interpretation of microseismic fracture images
- Workflows
- Data integration
- Confidence assessment
- Pitfalls
Engineering applications of microseismic imaging
- Case studies
- Engineering design improvement
- Economic considerations
Who Should Attend and Prerequisites
Engineers and geoscientists who wish to utilize microseismic data to improve their understanding of reservoir architecture and microseismic response to hydraulic fracture treatment.
Instructors
Shawn Maxwell
Background
Shawn Maxwell is President and CTO for IMaGE (Itasca Microseismic and Geomechanical Evaluation) based in Calgary. Previously he provided microseismic technical direction at Schlumberger, Pinnacle/Halliburton and ESG and has been a pioneer in the introduction of commercial microseismic hydraulic-fracturing imaging services to the oil and gas industry.
Shawn was awarded a Ph.D. in microseismology from Queen’s University in Canada. He serves on various microseismic focused committees and workshops around the globe, and is currently passive seismic associate editor for Geophysics. Shawn is also a 2013 SPE Distinguished Lecturer (“What Have We Learned About Fracturing Shales After 12 Years of Microseismic Mapping?”) and the 2014 SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course (“Microseismic Imaging of Hydraulic Fracturing: Improved Engineering of Unconventional Shale Reservoirs”).
Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario - Geophysics
MSc Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario - Engineering Physics
BSc Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario - Engineering Geophysics
Courses Taught
N250: Evaluation Methods for Shale Reservoirs
N409: Improved Hydraulic Fracture Design Using Microseismic Imaging