Seismic Fracture Identification and Horizontal Drilling: Keys to Optimizing Productivity in Fractured Reservoir, Giddings Field, Texas

Nanette M. Kuich

Anomalies on conventional seismic data and seismic attributes data have been successfully used to identify fracture swarms in the Austin Chalk. Wells drilled to intersect seismic fracture indicators are proven superior producers.

Seismic and geologic data demonstrate fracture swarms separated 100-300 ft by impermeable section. Fractures trend northeast-southwest, on strike with the regional Mexia-Talco and Balcones fault trends.

Horizontal drilling allows multiple fracture zones, which are not in communication, and therefore cannot be drained by a single well. Horizontal wellbores have been kicked out from two depleted Giddings field wells. Undrained fractures were encountered in both recompletions, some as close as 120 ft from the original vertical hole.

Horizontal drilling, directed by seismic data, is recovering hydrocarbons in a fractured reservoir previously bypassed via standard drilling and completion practices.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91029©1989 AAPG GCAGS and GC Section of SEPM Meeting, October 25-27, 1989, Corpus Christi, Texas.