Reservoir Engineering for Unconventional Gas Reservoirs: What Do We Have to Consider?

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2011

OSTI ID:1024263

Clarkson, Christopher R ^[1]

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1. ORNL

The reservoir engineer involved in the development of unconventional gas reservoirs (UGRs) is required to integrate a vast amount of data from disparate sources, and to be familiar with the data collection and assessment. There has been a rapid evolution of technology used to characterize UGR reservoir and hydraulic fracture properties, and there currently are few standardized procedures to be used as guidance. Therefore, more than ever, the reservoir engineer is required to question data sources and have an intimate knowledge of evaluation procedures. We propose a workflow for the optimization of UGR field development to guide discussion of the reservoir engineer's role in the process. Critical issues related to reservoir sample and log analysis, rate-transient and production data analysis, hydraulic and reservoir modeling and economic analysis are raised. Further, we have provided illustrations of each step of the workflow using tight gas examples. Our intent is to provide some guidance for best practices. In addition to reviewing existing methods for reservoir characterization, we introduce new methods for measuring pore size distribution (small-angle neutron scattering), evaluating core-scale heterogeneity, log-core calibration, evaluating core/log data trends to assist with scale-up of core data, and modeling flow-back of reservoir fluids immediately after well stimulation. Our focus in this manuscript is on tight and shale gas reservoirs; reservoir characterization methods for coalbed methane reservoirs have recently been discussed.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); High Flux Isotope Reactor
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1024263
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
CALIBRATION
COAL DEPOSITS
DATA ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENGINEERS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURES
HYDRAULICS
METHANE
NEUTRONS
OPTIMIZATION
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
SANS
SCATTERING
SHALE GAS
SOLAR PROTONS
WELL STIMULATION
shale
structure
tight gas