Integration of hydraulically induced microseismic event locations with active seismic attributes: A North Texas Barnett Shale case study

Abstract

Hydraulic fractures are delineated by induced microseismic event distributions and typically propagate perpendicular to the regional minimum stress direction. However, at a smaller scale, varying mineralogical composition and existing fault and fracture networks can influence developing fracture networks. We integrated microseismic event locations with seismic attributes from multichannel seismic reflection data, including inversion results for impedance and Lamé parameters, and seismic curvature attributes. We found that microseismic event locations consistently correlate to zones of low seismic impedance and low [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] values, describing characteristic material properties of fracture-prone zones within the North Texas Lower and Upper Barnett Shale. Additionally, event locations showed a weak correlation with anticlinal structures as defined by volumetric curvature attributes. We suggest that the low impedance, low [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] zones were related to the boundary between calcite-filled fractures and the host rock.