Fine Scale Characterization Of Shale Reservoirs

This book summarizes the authors' extensive experience and interdisciplinary approach to demonstrate how acquiring and integrating data using a variety of analytical equipment can provide better insights into unconventional shale reservoir rocks and their constituent components. It focuses on a wide range of properties of unconventional shale reservoirs, discussing the use of conventional and new analytical methods for detailed measurements of mechanical properties of both organic and inorganic constituent elements as well as of the geochemical characteristics of organic components and their origins. It also addresses the investigation of porosity, pore size and type from several perspectives to help us to define unconventional shale formation. All of these analyses are treated individually, but brought together to present the rock sample on a macro scale. This book is of interest to researchers and graduate students from various disciplines, such as petroleum, civil, and mechanical engineering, as well as from geoscience, geology, geochemistry and geophysics. The methods and approaches can be further extended to biology and medicine.

A comprehensive textbook presenting techniques for the analysis and characterization of shale plays Significant reserves of hydrocarbons cannot be extracted using conventional methods. Improvements in techniques such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have increased access to unconventional hydrocarbon resources, ushering in the “shale boom” and disrupting the energy sector. Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources: Techniques for Reservoir Engineering Analysis covers the geochemistry, petrophysics, geomechanics, and economics of unconventional shale oil plays. The text uses a step-by-step approach to demonstrate industry-standard workflows for calculating resource volume and optimizing the extraction process. Volume highlights include: Methods for rock and fluid characterization of unconventional shale plays A workflow for analyzing wells with stimulated reservoir volume regions An unconventional approach to understanding of fluid flow through porous media A comprehensive summary of discoveries of massive shale resources worldwide Data from Eagle Ford, Woodford, Wolfcamp, and The Bakken shale plays Examples, homework assignments, projects, and access to supplementary online resources Hands-on teaching materials for use in petroleum engineering software applications The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.

Reservoir characterization as a discipline grew out of the recognition that more oil and gas could be extracted from reservoirs if the geology of the reservoir was understood. Prior to that awakening, reservoir development and production were the realm of the petroleum engineer. In fact, geologists of that time would have felt slighted if asked by corporate management to move from an exciting exploration assignment to a more mundane assignment working with an engineer to improve a reservoir’s performance. Slowly, reservoir characterization came into its own as a quantitative, multidisciplinary endeavor requiring a vast array of skills and knowledge sets. Perhaps the biggest attractor to becoming a reservoir geologist was the advent of fast computing, followed by visualization programs and theaters, all of which allow young geoscientists to practice their computing skills in a highly technical work environment. Also, the discipline grew in parallel with the evolution of data integration and the advent of asset teams in the petroleum industry. Finally, reservoir characterization flourished with the quantum improvements that have occurred in geophysical acquisition and processing techniques and that allow geophysicists to image internal reservoir complexities. Practical resource describing different types of sandstone and shale reservoirs Case histories of reservoir studies for easy comparison Applications of standard, new, and emerging technologies

Provides comprehensive information about the key exploration, development and optimization concepts required for gas shale reservoirs Includes statistics about gas shale resources and countries that have shale gas potential Addresses the challenges that oil and gas industries may confront for gas shale reservoir exploration and development Introduces petrophysical analysis, rock physics, geomechanics and passive seismic methods for gas shale plays Details shale gas environmental issues and challenges, economic consideration for gas shale reservoirs Includes case studies of major producing gas shale formations

Hardcover plus CD

Provides comprehensive information about the key exploration, development and optimization concepts required for gas shale reservoirs -Includes statistics about gas shale resources and countries that have shale gas potential -Addresses the challenges that oil and gas industries may confront for gas shale reservoir exploration and development -Introduces petrophysical analysis, rock physics, geomechanics and passive seismic methods for gas shale plays -Details shale gas environmental issues and challenges, economic consideration for gas shale reservoirs -Includes case studies of major producing gas shale formations.

This timely book begins with an overview of shale gas reservoir features such as natural fracture systems, multi-fractured horizontal wells, adsorption/desorption of methane, and non-linear flow within the reservoir. Geomechanical modelling, an aspect of importance in ultra-low permeability reservoirs, is also presented in detail. Taking these complex features of shale reservoirs into account, the authors develop a numerical model, which is verified with field data using the history matching technique. Based on this model, the pressure transient and production characteristics of a fractured horizontal well in a shale gas reservoir are analysed with respect to reservoir and fracture properties. Methods for the estimation of shale properties are also detailed. Minifrac tests, rate transient tests (RTA), and type curve matching are used to estimate the initial pressure, permeability, and fracture half-length. Lastly, future technologies such as the technique of injecting CO2 into shale reservoirs are presented. The book will be of interest to industrial practitioners, as well as to academics and graduate students in the field of reservoir engineering.