Fracture Density and Direction with Well Location Correlation Analysis

Earth Satellite Corporation (EarthSat) geologists interpreted Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery acquired in 2000 for surface fractures. The fracture information (location, orientation, and direction) was stored in an ArcInfo spatial database, and EarthSat used ArcGrid to model surfaces that characterize the regional density and direction of these fractures.

Like traditional rose diagrams, these surfaces assist petroleum geologists in site selection and characterization for drilling. EarthSat used the surface results to quantify the relationship between well productivity and coincident regional fracture orientation and density.

These methods are used to identify possible drilling sites for oil and gas extraction. The density and direction of the interpreted fractures help correlate and deduce which areas are best suited for drilling. The fracture density surface is created using a 100-meter cell resolution and a 2.4-kilometer sampling radius for each cell. Correlations can be made with fracture density highs and well locations.

The average direction surface is created using a 100-meter cell resolution and a five-kilometer sampling radius for each cell. Correlations can be made with average fracture direction areas and well locations.