SciCat® measures stress directly and quantitatively at the well pad, between wells and far field in 3D space, using high-resolution mechanical earth models calibrated to diagnostic fracture injection tests (or DFIT data), pore pressure and overburden stress, and elastic rock properties that define geomechanics measured in-situ from the AVO seismic inversion.
The award winning method implements a unique seismic-to-simulation multi-disciplinary / multi-physics approach, integrating multidomain independent data types that verify and corroborate resulting in a valid 3D stress solution that can be input directly to 3D fracture geometry simulators like GOHFER® .
When hydraulic induced injection pressures exceed in-situ minimum stress, fractures occur and will propagate orthogonally and perpendicularly away from the wellbore far-field within a path of least resistance determined by stress heterogeneity, defined by lithology (or mineralogy) contrasts of the subsurface. Lithology contrasts define intrinsic 3D seismic geomechanics or elastic properties of the shale that are effectively measured by the AVO seismic inversion in 3D space.
The measured stress from SciCat is versatile, allowing for data-driven solutions, contrary to trial-and-error development methods that are capital intensive. Applications include optimal landing and horizontal wellbore trajectory design, geosteering, identifying drilling hazards, 1D and 3D fracture geometry modeling for vertical and lateral wellbore spacing, pre-drill engineered treatment design for enhanced production and less cost (including vertical wellbores), effective zipper sequencing for stress shadow mitigation, refrac assessment, and wellbore stability applications.
