Application of microseismic monitoring and imaging of fractures in horizontal CBM well

In order to effectively guide fracturing project and evaluate fracturing results, the application of micro seismic imaging and fracture monitoring technology was proposed for fracturing operation in horizontal coalbed methane(CBM)well. Microseismic imaging technology was used to monitor the azimuth, length and height of fractures in horizontal CBM well, to analyze the reasons of asymmetrical development of two wings of fractures. Then the monitoring results of horizontal well and vertical well in the same scale and layer in Sihe block of Qinshui basin were comparatively analyzed. The results indicated that because of the influence of well location and construction technology, the horizontal well had big loss of fracturing fluid, was easy to produce multiple fractures, and the fracture extension distance was relatively short. It is pointed out that for the layout of subsequent horizontal wells, the axis line of the horizontal interval should be parallel to the direction of minimum principal stress, and the scale of fracturing design and fracturing stages should increase so as to ensure the highly efficient development of horizontal CBM wells.