Development of stimulation diagnostic technology. Annual report, January 1991--December 1992

To apply Sandia`s expertise and technology towards the development of stimulation diagnostic technology in the areas of in situ stress, natural fracturing, stimulation processes and instrumentation systems. The approach to stimulation diagnostics is to integrate in situ stress measurements (including microfracs, anelastic strain recovery, circumferential velocity analysis, and coring-induced fractures) with natural fracture characterization, stimulation analyses (including Fracpro, other models, finite-element analyses, and various pressure analyses), and fracture diagnostics in order to validate hydraulic fracture concepts, models and diagnostic capabilities. The focus of this year`s efforts has been on the planning and development of the M-Site experiment facility for hydraulic fracture diagnostic development. A microseismic suitability test was conducted at the site with very positive results. In four small fracture treatments, over 1,000 microseismic were recorded, with most of these events having analyzable polarization and p- and s-wave arrivals. In the area of in situ stress, comparative studies are being made to evaluate stress measurement techniques, and an in situ stress topical report is being prepared. Natural fracture studies of the Frontier formation are progressing; the genesis and stratigraphic controls on two fracture sets have been hypothesized.