Fracture characterization in the Delaware Basin using wide-azimuth seismic data

Because hydraulic fractures propagating in unconventional reservoirs interact mechanically with preexisting natural fractures, hydraulic fracture complexity depends on horizontal stress anisotropy. Although open or partially open natural fractures may contribute to production, they may also provide pathways for water to flow into a well during production and may lead to loss of wellbore fluid while drilling. Understanding the spatial distribution and orientation of natural fracture networks is, thus, important in optimizing drilling and production. Fortunately, open or partially open natural fractures produce azimuthal variations in seismic reflection amplitude, allowing fracture orientations to be inferred from seismic inversion. We present an example of applying this approach in the Delaware Basin, illustrating the construction of a discrete fracture network (DFN) from prestack inversion of wide-azimuth seismic data. The DFN, thus derived, helps explain losses encountered while drilling a lateral well.