Use of calibration injections with microseismic monitoring

Abstract

A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is carried out by performing a diagnostic operation wherein a fluid is introduced into the wellbore at a pressure sufficient to create at least one microseismic event within the formation. The at least one microseismic event is monitored. At least one property of the formation surrounding the well is determined based on the monitored at least one microseismic event. A well treatment is performed based upon the determined at least one property of the well wherein the well is modified by the well treatment.

1 . A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:
 performing a diagnostic operation wherein a fluid is introduced into the wellbore at a pressure sufficient to create at least one microseismic event within the formation;   monitoring the at least one microseismic event;   determining at least one property of the formation surrounding the well based on the monitored at least one microseismic event; and   performing a well treatment based upon the determined at least one property of the formation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid is introduced at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the formation.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid is introduced at a pressure above the fracture pressure of the formation.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid is introduced in two or more pulses wherein each pulse has at least one of a different pressure and a different flow rate from the prior pulse.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid is introduced for a duration of from about 1 minute to about 30 minutes.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a least a portion of the fluid includes a solid particulate material.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the determined property is at least one of diffusivity, permeability, flow velocity, and fracture complexity.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the amount of fluid introduced during the diagnostic operation is from about 50 bbl (7.95 m 3 ) to about 200 bbl (31.8 m 3 ).   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid is a non-gelled fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one microseismic event is monitored from an offset well.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the treatment is a fracturing treatment.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the formation is a shale formation.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one property comprises diffusivity, permeability, flow velocity, and/or fracture complexity of a created fracture.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 monitoring of the at least one microseismic event occurs while the fluid is being introduced.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 monitoring of the at least one microseismic event occurs after the fluid has been introduced.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 monitoring of the at least one microseismic event occurs within approximately the first thirty minutes after the fluid is introduced.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least a portion of the fluid contains solid particles.   
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:
 performing a diagnostic operation wherein a fluid is introduced into the wellbore at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the formation and that is sufficient to create at least one microseismic event within the formation;   monitoring the at least one microseismic event;   determining at least one property of diffusivity and permeability based on the monitored at least one microseismic event; and   performing a well treatment based upon the determined at least one property.   
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:
 performing a diagnostic operation wherein a fluid is introduced into the wellbore at a pressure above the fracture pressure of the formation and sufficient to create at least one microseismic event within the formation;   monitoring the at least one microseismic event;   determining at least one property of flow velocity and fracture complexity of a created fracture based on the monitored at least one microseismic event; and   performing a well treatment based upon the determined at least one property.