Challenge: Accurately and reliably measure
the minimum in situ stress and determine fracture gradients in a
low-permeability, organic-rich unconventional reservoir.
Solution: Conduct microfracture tests with
the MDT modular formation dynamics tester requiring only a few gallons of fluid
to successfully induce fractures with the pressure response unaffected by
frictional losses or a time lag.
Results: Efficiently calculated stress
gradients and calibrated the sonic-log-derived model and surface-based
formation interval test to precisely design fracture placement.