Open Access

ARTICLE

Evaluation of Fracturing Effects in Offshore Sandstone Reservoir Using Array Acoustic Logging Technology

Xiao Qi¹, Lu Yin¹, Chuang Hei^2,3,*, Zehui Zhang³
1 Oilfield Technology Department, China Oilfield Services Limited, Sanhe, Langfang, China
2 China State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
3 School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
* Corresponding Author: Chuang Hei. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Progress and Prospects of Hydraulic Fracture Network Morphology Characterization, Flow Simulation and Optimization Technology for Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)

Energy Engineering https://doi.org/10.32604/ee.2026.086251

Received 26 May 2026; Accepted 15 July 2026; Published online 12 August 2026

Abstract

For offshore sandstone reservoirs, fracturing effect evaluation requires a practical workflow capable of characterizing both near-wellbore fracture height and far-field fracture development from pre- and post-fracturing array acoustic logging data. Accordingly, this study establishes an integrated workflow that combines P-wave tomography imaging with dipole scattering wave analysis. P-wave tomography reconstructs velocity variation images in the near-borehole region. The near-borehole fracture height can be estimated by comparing radial changes in formation velocity before and after fracturing. However, this method is limited in assessing fracturing propagation farther from the borehole. In contrast, dipole scattering wave technology, which analyzes scattered wave energy, is effective in characterizing formation heterogeneity and detecting fracture distribution within tens of meters from the borehole. The integration of these two technologies enables a comprehensive evaluation of fracturing effects in both near- and far-borehole regions. This approach was applied in well X1 and X2 in an offshore sandstone reservoir. Post-fracturing data revealed a significant reduction in rock velocity near the borehole, attributed to induced fractures, indicating a calculated fracturing height of approximately 13.8 m. In the far-field region, strong reflected and scattered wave energy anomalies indicate a “fracturing volume transformation” extending at least 14 m from the borehole, confirming effective fracture propagation. This integrated method enables both the identification of the fracture height and the estimation of radial fracture extent, significantly improving the evaluation of reservoir fracturing effectiveness.

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Keywords

Array acoustic logging; P-wave tomography image; dipole scattering wave; fracturing effect evaluation; offshore sandstone reservoirs

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