CA1148077A - Method of monitoring the recovery of minerals from shallow geological formations - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
In the process of recovering minerals, such as hydro-carbons from shallow tar sands, and the like, one method is to create a shallow horizontal fracture within the tar sand. The size and shape of the perimeter is deter-mined, and one or more secondary boreholes are drilled to the formation inside of the perimeter of the fracture.
Pressurized air is injected into the fracture and the hydrocarbons are ignited. After a selected period of burning is carried out, the radius to the burn front, surrounding the recovery area, from which the hydrocarbons have been removed, is determined by placing a source of seismic waves at a selected point over the fracture, and a long array of seismic sensors colinear with the source.
The source is energized for different conditions of pressurization in the formation and fracture. The re-flected seismic waves are converted to electrical signals, which are compared for all sensors. By comparison of the character and/or energy of the reflections, the geometry of the burn zone can be determined.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention This invention lies in the field of artificial fractures in the earth resulting from the application of fluid pressure, at a selected point, at a selected depth, in the earth, in a selected geologic formation, of selected properties.
More particularly this invention is related to the mapping of such fractures, that is, determining the horizontal shape and size of the outer perimeter of the fractures.
Still more particularly, this invention is concerned with the recovery of minerals, such as, hydrocarbons, ; from shallow geologic formations containing very viscous hydrocarbons, by heating the formations, by burning part of the hydrocarbons such as by injecting pressurized air, or by injecting high pressure steam.
Still more particularly, this invention is concerned with the mapping of the subsurface formations as the hydrocarbons are progressively removed from the formation.

2. Background of the Invention In the petroleum industry over the past 25 years or so, it has been customary to artificially create fractures in the earth by means of fluid pressure applied at selected points in the earth. These processes have come f"~ to be known as hydrofracturing, or hydrofraccing, since liquids were the first fluids to be used. Liquids are still used in forming deep vertical fractures, where very high pressures are required.
On the other hand, where the hydrocarbon containing 1~8~77 formation is shallow, and the fractures are horizontal, air or steam can be used to create the fractures, such as when creating fractures in shallow tar sands, for example.
However, in all the years that such artificial fracturing has been done, no satisfactory way has been found to precisely determine the azimuth, length and vertical extent of a deep vertical fracture, or the shape and dimension of the outer perimeter of a horizontal fracture.
A related application by M.Darroll Wood, entitled: "Method of determining Change in Subsurface Structure Due to Application of Fluid Pressure to the Earth," (United States Patent No. 4,271,696) Canadian Patent application serial No. 355,808, filed July 9, 1980 has described a method of positioning tiltmeters on the surface of the earth over the expected position of the fracture, and by observing the variation of tilt of the earth, as a function of the pressure and flow rate of liquid into a deep vertical fracture, determining the azimuth of, and the horizontal extent of, the deep vertical fracture.
To applicant's knowledge, no other method has been described in the literature, for mapping artificial fractures in the earth.
The principal object of this invention is to devise a method for mapping artificial horizontal fractures in the earth by the seismic method.
According to the present invention there is provided, in a mineral recovery operation including a shallow substantially horizontal geological formation containing said minerals, a first borehole drilled to said - formation, a substantially horizontal fracture in said formation resulting from the prior application of pressurized fracture fluid to said formation through said first borehole, a second borehole drilled to said formation at a radius from said first borehole less than the radius of the outer perimeter of said fracture, said mineral adapted to be removed from said , formation by flowing a selected recovery fluid downwardly through said first borehole, outwardly through said fracture to said second borehole and

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` 1148~377 upwardly to the surface; where said minerals are recovered; the method ofmapping the shape and size of the zone in said formation, surrounding said first borehole, from which at least part of said mineral has been removed, after said recovery fluid has been flowing for`a first selected time interval Tl, comprising the steps of;
~ a) providing a first selected source of seismic waves a~ or near the surface at at least one point above said fracture;
.- ~b) positioning at or near the surface of the earth a plurality of seismic sensors, such as geophones, at selected known positions, said . sensors adapted to receive the upward reflection of downwardly directed seismic waves generated by said source, and to convert them to electrical i ~`~ signals;

! (C) pressurizing said previously prepared fracture with a selected pressurizing fluid to a condition P, where the overburden is lifted ` and the roof of said fracture is out of contact with the base of said h~ fracture, and at least a thin layer of said pressurizing fluid fills said fracture and said zone;
~ d) operating said first source and receiving said seismic waves reflected from the roof of said fracture and said zone; and recording a .;~ 20 first electrical signal from each of said sensors; and ~ e) comparing said first electrical signal from at least two of said sensors.

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., . . -i~8~77 The horizontal fracture may be provided in the normal manner, either by the application of pressurized liquid or gas, by processes which are well known in the art, and form no part of this invention.
The source of seismic waves, can produce compressional waves, or shear waves, and can be impulsive or vibratory, as is well known in the art.
The plurality of seismic sensors may be at least one linear array of seismic sensors positioned at or near the surface of the earth. The array is preferably colinear with the source, and should extend far enough, such that the point of reflection of the seismic waves from the source to a reflecting interface at or near the depth of the fracture, and to the sensors will be at a greater radius from the well bore from which the fracture was - created, than the outer perimeter of the fracture. Thus, of all the reflecting points to each of the sensors, some will be within, and some will be outside of the outer perimeter.
This source may be energized in at least two conditions. The first is condition P, referred to above, A second condition N exists when the fracture is depressurized to a pressure less than that required to lift the overburden, so that the roof of the fracture will slump and will be in ~: ' elastic wave transmitting contact with the base of the fracture.

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3 14~3~77 Consider a sensor receiving a reflection from a reflecting point inside the perimeter. In the first condition P, with the fracture filled with fluid, the reflected signal will be of higher energy content than will the reflected signal from a point outside of the perimeter of the fracture, since there will be no fracture to augment the reflection of seismic energy.
In the second condition N, where the fracture is depressurized or nonpressurized, so far as the reflection , 10 of seismic energy is concerned, there is no fracture, and - the reflection of seismic energy will be substantially the same at all reflection points.
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A third condition, or situation G, can be considered, where, the pressurizing of the fracture is done slowly, or ;~ 15 gradually, or in a series of steps, of the flow of pressuriz-ing fluid. In the third condition G, in effect, the peri-~-`i meter of the fracture is growing, and the reflection ` points where substantial seismic energy is reflected move outwardly as the radius of the perimeter increases. Thus, this increasing size of the fracture can be mapped by the increasing number of sensors showing high energy. The ; radius of the fracture should be a function of the total . i ~ fluid flow.
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A fourth condition C and a fifth condition S, can ~^l 25 be considered where the above procedure is repeated, first C, with a compressional seismic source, and then S, with a transverse shear seismic source. In -che pressurized ` condition P, the compressional C, and shear S, reflections , will be different, whereas in the depressurized condition N they will be similar.

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,, ~8C~77 Considerable work has been done on the recovery of hydrocarbonsfrom shallow tar sands by burning part of the hydrocarbons to heat the formation, so that the hydrocarbons will soften and flow through the fracture to a secondary borehole and be recovered at the surface.
However, I am not aware of any satisfactory method of mapping the progress of the burn front, to determine the fraction of the reservoir that has been recovered, or whether part of the reservoir is being bypassed by the burn front, and so on.
This invention is applicable to tar sands and hydrocarbon recovery by pressurizing with air and burning, or recovery by heating with high pressure steam. The invention is also applicable to the recovery of heavy ~viscous) oil in the pores of consolidated porous rocks, by heating and/or burning. It is also applicable to the recovery of other minerals by -; solution, or chemical exolution, such as sulphur, salt, copper and so on.
When so applied the invention enables the determination, at any selected time after the start of recovery, the perimeter of the area of the formation from which the hydrocarbon or other mineral has been removed.
The invention may be applied, for example, to tar sands hydrocarbon recovery ':
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; creating a horizontal fracture in the normal manner, either by the application of pressurized liquid or gas at a selected point at a selected depth in a tar sand, for example, providing a source of seismic waves, and ` 5 can be impulsive or vibratory, and so on. One, or a plurality of radial arrays of seismic sensors are set out on the earth colinear with the source. The arrays are long enough such that the points of reflections of seismic `:
waves from the source to the fracture, and upwardly to the sensors will extend to radii greater than the predetermined outer perimeter of the fracture.
Thus of all the reflecting points to each of the sensors, some will be within the mineral recovery zone A, :!
inside of the burn front; some will be in the intermediate x~ 15 annular zone B between the burn front and the outer peri-meter of the fracture, and a third outer part will be in the zone C, outside of the outer perimeter of the fracture.
The source will be energized for at least two condi-tions; condition P, where the formation is pressurized with a liquid or a gas, and condition N, where the forma-tion is non-pressurized. In condition P, the roof of the fracture in zone B is lifted, and is out of contact with . .
~ the base of the fracture; and in zone A, if the area is ;, ` large enough, that the overburden has slumped into the recovery area, then in condition P this overburden will be lifted and the void will be filled with the pressurizing fluid, a liquid or preferably a gas.
On the other hand, in condition N, the fracture in zone B will be closed and reflections will look like those from zone C. Also, in Zone A, the energy of the ~i reflections will be less than in condition P.
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~; - : , These and other objects and advantages, and a better understanding of the principles and details of the invention will be evident from the following descrip-tion, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 iS a prior art figure representing the ; transmission and reflection of seismic waves at geologic interfaces.
FIGURE 2 illustrates schematically one embodiment of this invention.
FIGURE 3 illustrates schematically one embodiment of the process of removing hydrocarbons from tar sands by burning, and mapping the burn front.
FIGURE 4 illustrates the condition in FIGURE 3 after a longer period of burning has been carried out and the burn front is at greater radius.
FIGURE 5 illustrates the condition, similar to FIGURES 3 and 4 except that the mineral is held in the pores of a consolidated porous rock.
The operation of the method of this invention will be better understood by reviewing briefly the principles of the transmission and reflection of seismic waves at geologic interfaces in the earth.
~ Referring to FIGURE 1, which is fully taught in ; 25 most text books on the seismic process of geophysical `; prospecting, the earth 10, having a surface 12 is shown having three geologic formations 21, at the surface, 22 below the formation 21, with an intervening contact or interface 18, and a third formation 23 in contact with 22, at an interface 19.
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8~77 A seismic source 14 is set up at the surface, and a plurality of sensors, such as geophones 16A, 16B, etc., spaced from the source 14. By conventional representation, a ray of seismic energy 20 passes downwardly to reflection point 24 at the interface 18, where generally, part of the ` energy is transmitted across the interface 18 as ray 20B, and part is reflected as upwardly reflected ray 20A.
Again, at interface 19, part of the energy of ray 20B is transmitted at reflection point 26 across the interface 19 as ray 20F, and part is reflected upwardly as ray 20C.
"J,~ Part of the upwardly travelling ray 20C at reflection point 28 is transmitted across the interface 18, from below as the ray 20E, and part is reflected downwardly as .
ray 20D, and so on.
~ There are several conditions that are well known.
- First, at the reflection point 24 for example, the angles of incidence and reflection, are equal. This occurs at all reflection points, such as 24, 26, 28 and so on.
Second, the division of energy as between the incident wave and the reflected wave is given by the relation Ar Q 2v2 AI ~2V2 + lVl where R is the reflection coefficient, or the ratio ;
between the energy of the reflected wave, to the incident wave.
Ar is the energy of the reflected wave.
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AI is the energy of the incident wave.

~1 is the density of the formation 1 from which the wave is incident.
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_ g _ ~8~i~7 y2 is the density of the formation 2, into which the wave is transmitted.
Vl is the velocity of seismic wave transmission in formation l.
V2 is the velocity of seismic wave transmission in formation 2.
Of course the energy of the transmitted wave in formation 2 is given by At = AI - Ar.
The quantity ~ V is called the acoustic impedance of a selected geologic formation. Such formations in the earth have independent densities, and velocities.
~; Thus two different formations may have the same acoustic impedance, yet be considerably different in ~ and/or V, and vice versa.
The reflection coefficients R are generally small, so that sufficient energy can be present in deep reflec-tions, after having been traversing many hundreds or thousands of geologic interfaces.
However, where the reflection takes place between a solid and a liquid, because of the disparity in density and velocity the reflection coefficient can be quite large. Also where the interface is between rock and air, such as at the surface of the earth, the reflection coefficient can be almost 100 percent.
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This invention makes use of these principles by comparing the energy of reflected seismic energy from the natural interfaces, such as 18, l9 -- where th~re is no fracture, to the case where there is a pressurized fracture filled with liquid or gas, where the reflection ., .

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, ` coefficient may be high.
; Where the seismic source puts out a relatively simple wavelet, the "character" of the reflected seismic wave can be fairly simple. On the other hand, when the ; 5 incident seismic wave is a long time function, as from a vibratory source, the "character" of the reflected ` wave can be very complex.
Also, where the seismic waves are shear waves which ' do not transmit through a liquid or gas the reflected .:
energy can be very large.
Thus by making use of these principles and with the appropriate geometry and observing the character of the seismic waves and their energy, much information can be determined relating to the dimensions of the horizontal fracture.

~ Referring now to FIGURE 2 there is shown schematically one embodiment of this invention, comprising a portion of ', -~~ the earth 10 including the surface 12. There is a well bore 34 drilled in conventional manner from the surface 12 to a depth 41 to and preferably through a geologic ~? i formation 32. Such a formation may be, for example, a shallow formation which contains hydrocarbons in the form of tar or very heavy (viscous) oil. For the purpose of ~'l recovery of these hydrocarbons a fracture 44 is produced , ~
, 25 in the body of the formation 32, preferably near the - bottom thereof.
Not shown is one or a plurality of secondary bore-holes drilled into the formation 32. These must be within the perimeter of the fracture indicated at a radius 56 equal to L/2 from the borehole 34.

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., " 1~48~77 The need to have the secondary boreholes in direct communication with the fracture indicates the need to know the precise position of the perimeter at 56. Also the secondary boreholes must be positioned as close to the perimeter as possible to be able to recover all the hydro-carbons within the perimeter.
A fracture fluid is passed down a tubing 3a inside the borehole 34, which is generally lined with casing.
~' A packer 36 is set above the desired depth of fracture and the casing is perforated, 35 at the desired depth of the fracture. The pressurized fluid can be gas or liquid which is pressurized by pump or compressor 40 driven by motor 42.
A source of seismic waves 14 is set up at a selected ` 15 point, preferably near to the center of the perimeter of .;
~ the fracture 44, that is, near the mouth 31 of the well . ::
~ bore 34.
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~ An array of a plurality of sensors or geophones 16 .~ is laid out at or near the surface 12 of the earth. This array preferably consists of at least one linear array, colinear with said source. The array is long enough so that at least the outermost sensor 16F will receive reflected seismic waves from a point 57F beyond the outer ;~ perimeter 56 of the fracture 44.
` 25 Each of the geophones or other sensors 16A, 16B, 16B are each connected by conductors 50 in a conventional manner to a plurality of conventional seismic amplifiers ,,.:
'``r"~" 52 and to a storage, recording means, and/or display 54, .;
i' as is well known in the seismic art.

` 30 The source may provide an impulsive seismic wave, :
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~8~77 or a vibratory seismic wave, which, passing downwardly into the earth, will reflect from the interfaces 32A
~ and 32B and to each of the sensors 16.
;` When the fracture is depressurized, condition N, the roof of the fracture will fall into contact with the base. In this condition there will be very little, if any, energy reflected at the fracture plane, though there well may be reflections~ from the top and bottom interfaces 32A, 32B of the formation 32. These will combine to ' 10 produce a reflection of a particular character, dependent on the reflection coefficients and spacing between the `I interfaces, etc.
Now, when the fracture is pressurized with a fluid, condition P, so that the roof 46 of the fracture 44 is clearly separated from the base surface 45 of the fracture ~1 ri there will be seismic reflections possible from the roof 46 and possibly the base 45, which reflections will add to those from the interfaces 32A, 32B, to produce a reflec-` tion character which is still more complicated, than in ;l 20 the previous case. There will also be increased amplitude ;~ and energy of the reflected waves.
However, only those sensors such as 16A, 16B, 16C
for which the reflection points are at a radius from the ;~ source 14 which is less than the parimeter radius L/2 will show a large change of energy or character. For i those sensors such as 16F for which the reflection point 57F is at a greater radius than L/2 of the periemter 56 there will be substantially no change in the reflected energy or character received and recorded.
~,i 30 By comparing the character and energy of the reflected ,~ - 13 -.,~

signals received by the sensors 16A, 16B, 16C for the two conditions P and N of pressurization, it will be seen that the perimeter is beyond the radius 57C of the reflec-tion point showing changes in character and energy. And, of course, if the perimeter is at a lesser radius than that of reflection point 57F of the sensor 16F, it will show no change.
It is thus seen that by using as close a spacing between sensors as desired, the radius of the perimeter 56 can be determined as precisely as desired.
It will be clear that if the fracture is pressurized at a slow rate, that is, low rate of fluid flow, that at a partial pressurization, the radius of effective separa-tion of the roof and base of the fracture will exist only over a small radius. Then, as more fluid is pumped into the fracture the effective area of the roof that is lifted will increase, until, at full pressurization the ' effective perimeter will move to point 56.
,- Of course, at each stage, when the perimeter radius ; 20 is less than I,/2 there will be fewer sensors with reflec-tion points inside the "then" perimeter, and showing the character and energy changes. Then as the perimeter moves out to 56 more of the sensors out along the array will show the character and energy change.
Since high frequency seismic signals can better , .
delineate closely spaced interfaces, I prefer to use high frequency seismic waves. Also, I prefer to use transverse shear waves, particularly when the pressurizing fluid is ;~ a liquid or a gas. Also, I prefer to use an array of sensors which includes a plurality of radial arrays .~; ';
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:, ``i` ` 1~4,~3~377 directed at spaced angular positions, to determine the shape of the perimeter.
What has been described is a novel procedure for ~ determining the size and shape of the perimeter of a - 5 horizontal fracture in the earth, which utilizes a selected pressurizing procedure, in conjunction with the use of seismic surveying techniques.
~ Since the reflecting action at the fracture when : pressurized with liquid or gas, would be different withcompressional waves than with transverse shear waves, I
propose to repeat the operations for both types of sources ~ .
and sensors, for all conditions of pressurization, depres-surization, and gradual pressurization.
Referring now to FIGURE 3, there is shown the central portion of FIGURE 2 at a selected time period after the formation 32 has been pressurized with air and `~ the hydrocarbons have been ignited. A circular burn front ,:
70 has been formed. The temperature is very high, and there is active combustion of the hydrocarbons as the hydrocarbon material is consumed in the formation 32, ; starting at the borehole 34. The remaining sand, cleaned , of carbonaceous material, will fall 66 to the base 32B
~ of the formation 32. When the radius 61 of the burn zone ..~ .
70 is small, the roof at interface 32A, and the overburden ~; 25 10 will not slump. Thus a void space 68 will remain, ~ filled with pressurized liquid or gas. Thus, when a ;- reflection point lies in zone A, and the formation is pressurized, the energy of the upward reflections will i be high.
i 30 In zone B between the burn front 70 and the outer .:
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. perimeter 56, the action will be similar to that in FIGURE 2, inside of the outer perimeter 56, except that the fracture 44 will now be filled with a combination of liquid hydrocarbons and a gas, instead of solely gas as in FIGURE 2.
Now consider FIGURE 4, which represents a later time than that of FIGURE 3, and the burn zone 70 has advanced -. to a larger radius 61', such that the overburden 72 above interface 32A has slumped into the void 68. Thus, the reflections from points in zone A inside the burn front will show large high energy reflections when the formation is pressurized, condition P, and low energy reflections ~.
when the formation is depressurized, condition N.

The reflections in zone B, between the burn front 70 and the perimeter 56 should be about the same for the ~- condition in FIGURE 4, as in the case of FIGURE 3. And, , `- of course, the reflections in zone C should be the same , :.
for FIGURES 2, 3 and 4.

. There is a particular situation in the small area in zone A, just inside of the burn front 70. This is .' labelled 76. It comprises a narrow annular space, above ,' which the overburden 10 is cantilevered over the void -. 68, although the main central part of the burned-out ; zone 72 has slumped.

For a reflection point within the radius of space ~ 76, the reflections should be high for both conditions ;,.:
P and N, similar to those from zone A in FIGURE 3.

~ While FIGURES 3 and 4 were drawn for the case of `. tar sands with hydrocarbon removal by heating, using the " 30 heat of combustion of the tar and the pressurized air.

.': However, it is also possible to heat the formation with ,, ,,~

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~8~77 high pressure steam, which will condense after giving up its heat of vaporization.
The heat supplied by the steam will first be given - up close to the borehole 34. When this zone A becomes heated enough, the tar will liquify and drop down into ; the fracture, and, along with the hot water condensate will flow outwardly, under pressure of the steam injected, to carry these liquids out to the secondary boreholes, where they will flow to the surface, and the hydrocarbons -~ 10 will be recovered.
It is to be expected that there will be a hot zone 70' corresponding to the burn front 70, which, dependent on the rate of flow of steam, will move outwardly as a narrow annular zone. In the zone A inside of this hot zone, the sand wil' be substantially freed of tar, and will slump 66, as in FIGURES 3 and 4. Thus, the procedures described in connection with FIGURES 3 and 4 could be substantially the same for the recovery process using steam.
The differences between FIGURES 3 and 4 lie in the nature of the tar sand, namely that it is an unconsolidated ,;
~'~ rock, and when the tar is driven off, the loose sand will pile up in the bottom of the formation leaving a void above. Also the overburden will most likely slump,when . .
the diameter of the cleared area is large enough.
!~. . 25 There is another large area of this type of recovery ; system, and that is in the recovery of viscous hydrocarbons in the pores of consolidated porous rocks. In the case of these formations, the permeability is extremely low because the pores are filled with thick viscous oil.
Thus, it is necessary to produce a fracture so that the ~'' ':-.

1~48~77 heating fluid can get into the formation, and out.
FIGURE 5 has been drawn on the same basis as FIGURE 4, but for the case of competent porous rock.
Thus there will be no slumping in zone A in FIGURE 5 as in FIGURE 4. The reflection from reflection points 84, 88 in FIGURE 5 won't respond to pressurization as they did in FIGURE 4. Once all the oil is removed from the pores of saturated rock 80 as in zone B, it will be a gas or water filled porous rock 82, as in FIGURE 5.
The same types of field procedures would be followed in the case of FIGURE 5 as in the case of FIGURE 4.
The schematic diagram of FIGURE 5 can be used to ~ illustrate other types of mineral recovery, such as, for ; example, the case of sulphur recovery, or the recovery - 15 of any minerals that lie in the pares of the rock. For i the recovery of salt or other minerals, the process might -~ be better represented by FIGURES 3 and 4, without the sand, :,,;, ;i and so on.
'j While I have described my invention in relation to processes concerning the recovery of hydrocarbons from relatively shallow geologic formations, they can be applied equally well to the recovery of other minerals, either in unconsolidated formations, or in the pores of competent rock.

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Some of the recovery processes might use pressurized gases, such as air or steam. Others, such as that in in-situ mining of salt will involve the use of water, or in other liquids. Then there is still another category of minerals, the recovery of which can be accomplished by chemical processes, such as the use of acids, etc.
While I speak of horizontal and shallow geologic formations, these processes can be carried out at any depth at which a horizontal fracture will preferentially form (rather than a vertical fracture, for example).
Also, since it is well known how to obtain seismic reflec-tions from dipping formations, my method can be used where the formations are dipping at angles to the horizon small enough, so that the overburden can be lifted by the pres-surized fluid, and lowered when that fluid is removed.
While I have described the pressurizing operation as taking place after the fracture is formed, there is no ; limit as to how short or how long a time interval is required after the fracture is formed, before the pres-surizing operation can take place. Also, while I call for a fracturing fluid to create the fracture, I am specifying any of the conventional fracturing fluids that are well known and commonly used in the industry and the pressurizing fluid can be any fluid, such as a - 25 fracturing fluid, that will lift the overburden without leaking away too rapidly through the pores of a rock.
Thus it will be clear that the pressurizing fluid ` can be fracturing fluid and, if it were not for the great level of vibrational noise resulting from the pumping engines, the seismic operation could be carried out '.'' , - 19 -..
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1~ 77 while the pressure is being built up to the fracture breakdown and then after the fracture is formed and the ~ ,:
roof lifted.
After the fracture is formed and the roof lifted the pressure can be maintained while the pumping is stopped to take one record and the other record is taken before the pumping starts, or after the pressure ; of the fracturing fluid has reduced and the overburden has slumped back.
Thus the operation can comprise the steps of:
(1) taking at least a first record before the pumps are started, or during the pumping before the fracture ~, is made;
~` (2) taking at least a second record after the fracture is formed and while the overburden is still , ., lifted; and/or (3) taking at least a third record after the pres-I'``
surized fluid in the fracture is reduced to a low enough '5~`' value to permit the overburden to slump.
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, 20 I wish to emphasize further that because of the limited thicknesses of these shallow formations, in order to get the maximum information, the seismic waves generated by said source should be as high as possible. I am : .
recommending frequencies of 100 Hz to 200 or 300 Hz or higher. Small explosive charges can provide these high frequencies or even higher ones. Present day conventional i~i ; vibrators can operate up to 100 Hz or higher and `; specially designed high frequency vibrators can operate ; up to 200 to 300 Hz, these frequencies of 200 to 300 Hz or higher are preferred.
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Also, if possible it is desirable to make a first series of steps at the time of fracturing (as in my copending application 364,457, filed November 12, 1980 for comparison later with the presence of the mineral depleted zone.
While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention , is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached , claim, including the full range of equivalency to which each element ~,j thereof is entitled.

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Claims (30)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In a mineral recovery operation including a shallow substantially horizontal geological formation containing said minerals, a first borehole drilled to said formation, a substantially horizontal fracture in said formation resulting from the prior application of pressurized fracture fluid to said formation through said first borehole, a second borehole drilled to said formation at a radius from said first borehole less than the radius of the outer perimeter of said fracture, said mineral adapted to be removed from said formation by flowing a selected recovery fluid downwardly through said first borehole, outwardly through said fracture to said second borehole and upwardly to the surface; where said minerals are recovered; the method of mapping the shape and size of the zone in said formation, surrounding said first borehole, from which at least part of said mineral has been removed, after said recovery fluid has been flowing for a first selected time interval T1, comprising the steps of;
(a) providing a first selected source of seismic waves at or near the surface at at least one point above said fracture;
(b) positioning at or near the surface of the earth a plurality of seismic sensors, such as geophones, at selected known positions, said sensors adapted to receive the upward reflection of downwardly directed seismic waves generated by said source, and to convert them to electrical signals;

(c) pressurizing said previously prepared fracture with a selected pressurizing fluid to a condition P, where the overburden is lifted and the roof of said fracture is out of contact with the base of said fracture, and at least a thin layer of said pressurizing fluid fills said fracture and said zone;
(d) operating said first source and receiving said seismic waves reflected from the roof of said fracture and said zone; and recording a first electrical signal from each of said sensors; and (e) comparing said first electrical signal from at least two of said sensors.

2. The method as in claim 1 including the additional steps of:
(f) depressurizing said formation to a condition N where the pressure of said pressurizing fluid is less than that required to lift the overburden, whereby said fracture will close and said roof and base of said fracture will be in seismic wave transmitting condition;
(g) repeating step (d) with a second source to provide a second electrical signal from each of said plurality of sensors; and (h) comparing said second electrical signals from at least two of said sensors.

3. The method as in claim 2 including the additional step of:
(i) comparing said first and second electrical signals from at least one of said sensors.

4. The method as in claim 1 in which said step of comparing said electrical signals comprises the step of:
determining whether a function of energy of said electrical signals from said sensors is greater from one than from another of said sensors.

5. The method as in claim 1 in which said step of comparing said electrical signals comprises the step of;
determining whether the character of said electrical signals from said sensors is different from one than from another of said sensors.

6. The method as in claim 3 in which said first and second sources are sources of shear waves.

7. The method as in claim 3 in which said first and second sources are sources of transverse shear waves.

8. The method as in claim 3 in which said first and second sources are sources of compressional waves.

9. The method as in claim 1 in which said array of geophones is a radial array.

10. The method as in claim 1 in which said pressurizing fluid is a gas.

11. The method as in claim 1 in which said pressurizing fluid is a liquid.

12. The method as in claim 3 in which said first source is a shear source in step (d) and said second source is a compressional source in step (g).

13. The method as in claim 1 in which said pressurizing fluid is the same fluid as said recovery fluid.

14. The method as in claim 1 i-n which said geological formation is a tar sand formation, and said recovery fluid is pressurized air, and including the additional step of igniting said hydrocarbon tar;
whereby part of said hydrocarbon tar will burn and heat said formation, and the remaining hydrocarbons will soften and flow out through said fracture to said second borehole and be recovered.

15. The method as in claim 1 in which said geological formation is a tar sand formation, and said recovery fluid is high pressure steam;
whereby said steam will heat said formation causing said hydrocarbon tar to soften and flow out through said fracture to said second borehole and be recovered, driven by the flow of hot condensate and steam.

16. The method as in claim 1 in which said geological formation is a formation comprising a consolidated porous rock with the pores holding a viscous oil; and said recovery fluid is high pressure steam;

whereby said steam will heat said formation causing said viscous oil to become less viscous, and flow out through said fracture to said second borehole and be recovered.

17. The method as in claim 1 in which said geologic formation carries a solid mineral in the form of an ore body in a cavity within the formation.

18. The method as in claim 17 in which said solid mineral is sulphur and said recovery fluid is pressurized steam and hot water.

19. The method as in claim 17 in which said solid mineral is salt, and said recovery fluid is water.

20. The method as in claim 17 in which said solid mineral is a metal ore and said recovery fluid is a selected chemical solution, such as acid.

21. The method as in claim 1 for which the time duration of flow of recovery fluid is T2, where T2 is a longer time interval than T1;

whereby the radius of said zone in said formation will be greater at time T2, than at time T1; and including the additional step of comparing said first electrical signal from at least two of said sensors; for said times T1 and T2.

22. The method as in claim 1 for which the time duration of flow of recovery fluid is T2, where T2 is a longer time interval than T1, and including the additional step of;
comparing said first and second electrical signals from at least one of said sensors, for said times T1 and T2.

23. The method as in claim 1 in which the comparison of said first electrical signal from at least two of said sensors comprises, comparison of the amplitudes of the reflections from the top interface of said fracture.

24. The method as in claim 1 in which the comparison of said first electrical signal from at least two of said sensors comprises, comparison of the amplitudes of the reflections from the top interface of said gelogical formation.

25. The method as in claim 1 in which said selected source is one that provides a band of seismic frequencies at or near the upper end of the band of frequencies provided by conventional seismic sources.

26. The method as in claim 3 in which said formation is a tar sand, and the time duration of flow of said recovery fluid is long enough, and said zone is large enough, such that the overburden has slumped, and when the fracture is depressurized the roof of said zone is in contact with the base of said zone, except for a narrow annular portion of said zone at the inside edge of the annular burn front; and including the additional steps of:
(a) placing an array of sensors at such a radius from said first borehole that they will receive reflected seismic waves from said annular portion of said zone at the top interface of said formation; and (b) comparing the amplitudes of said second signals from said sensor array .

27. The method as in claim 11 in which said selected source provides frequencies of at least up to 100 Hz.

28. The method as in claim 11 in which said selected source provides frequencies at least up to 200 Hz.

29. The method as in claim 11 in which said selected source provides frequencies at least up to 300 Hz.

30. The method as in claim 1 in which the order of timing for steps (c), (d) and (e) can be before or after the steps (f), (g) and (h).