New technologies for unconventional reservoir characterization: Seismic inversion, focal-time estimation, and signal processing to improve reservoir imaging

Seismic data, comprising both passively and actively recorded data, have long been used for resource evaluation and geohazard assessments. Unconventional resource extraction, such as Alberta’s Duvernay play, requires a multifaceted approach to optimize reservoir development and to mitigate geohazards such as induced seismicity. Frequently, hydraulic fracture stimulation programs do not go as planned; fractures occur out of zone, depart from the predicted models, and, in some cases, induce felt seismic events (induced by hydraulic fracturing operations). From the Fox Creek, Alberta study area are well log data, multicomponent seismic reflection data, and microseismic data recorded from a permanent near-surface passive recording array. For this study, an industry partner provided two multicomponent seismic reflection surveys, as well as two co-located passive microseismic surveys. The Microseismic Industry Consortium (MIC) supplied microseismic data from the Tony Creek dual microseismic experiment (ToC2ME); an anonymous industry contributor contributed a second passive survey. Technologies developed in this thesis enable more accurate positioning of microseismic hypocenters by incorporating seismic reflection data. Signal-processing techniques used in seismic reflection processing are employed in this thesis to enhance the detection quality and quality of induced seismic events. Structural interpretation provides a framework of vital information to map and understand the relationship between geological structure and induced seismic events. Constraints obtained from full-waveform inversion provide detailed information about the properties of the Duvernay Formation itself, such as brittle and ductile facies. Accurate microseismic hypocenter determination in the context of seismic analysis identifies which structural elements and reservoir facies control the direction and size of induced fractures and which faults may be responsible for induced seismicity. Hypocenters are accurately located and plotted in depth and are associated with faults mapped from the reflected seismic. This analysis highlights what geological conditions, faults, lithology, and structure are dominant factors with respect to hydraulic fracture propagation and induced seismicity. The results of this research will aid in the design of hydraulic fracture completion programs and geohazard (induced seismic event) mitigation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geoscience

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Science

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Weir, Ronald McKenzie

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Lawton, Don Caleb
• Pedersen, Per Kent
• Eaton, David William S.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Schmitt, Douglas R.
• Oetelaar, Gerald

• seismicity
• unconventional reservoir
• Duvernay Formatinon
• seismic inversion
• microseismic
• focal-time
• seismic interpretation
• petrophysics
• structural mapping
• transcurrent faulting
• reservoir characterization

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/37804

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/112001