AUTHOR=Zhao Jinbin , Liu Peng , Li Junjun , Chen Zhaoying , Li Yang , Li Feng 

TITLE=Fracture propagation induced by hydraulic fracturing using microseismic monitoring technology: Field test in CBM wells in Zhengzhuang region, Southern Qinshui Basin, China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Earth Science

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/earth-science/articles/10.3389/feart.2023.1130280

DOI=10.3389/feart.2023.1130280

ISSN=2296-6463

ABSTRACT=Hydraulic fracturing is an important technical measure for coalbed methane (CBM) development, and the propagation of fractures in target coalseam induced by hydraulic fracturing is related to the stimulation effect of coalbed methane recovery. Therefore, effective monitoring of fracture development during reservoir fracturing is critical for CBM engineering. In this paper, the microseismic technology is used to monitor the spatial and temporal characteristics of the fracture extension in the CBM well hydraulic fracturing in Zhengzhuang Region in Southern Qinshui basin in China. Based on microseismic fracture scanning data and imaging processing, the three-dimensional shape of fractures in vertical wells after fracturing can be quantified, and for the vertical well ZHSY-1, the main fracture direction is identified as NE106°, and the fracture length is 426 m, and the fracture area in coalseam is 1.6×105 m2. It is found that fracturing does not develop continuously in time and space with fracturing fluid injection, and the fracture regions are scattered throughout the space, and the formation and development of fracture regions are intermittent. After fracturing with a large amount of fracturing fluid injection in Well ZHSY-1, the fracture area has been significantly increased, and the well gas production has been significantly improved, which is confirmed by the field CBM well data. This study provides a field application case for studying the effect of hydraulic fracturing fracture propagation using microseismic technology, and can provide a reference for the fracturing engineering in CBM development.