Shale Reservoirs - Applied Core Analysis

Geology and Petrology for Unconventional Resources – After a review of the geology of unconventional reservoirs, students will be introduced to all of the laboratory techniques employed during petrologic evaluation including X-ray diffraction (XRD), core description, thing section analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Students will learn how geologists use these techniques to understand composition and texture, organic maturity, and shale diagenesis and their impact on reservoir properties. A core and laboratory hands-on session will be included.

Reservoir Quality – This day begins with an overview of organic geochemistry laboratory measurements including canister desorption, total organic carbon (LECO-TOC), Rock Eval, adsorption isotherms and gas analysis. This will be followed by an overview of core acquisition, handling, and processing including gamma logging, slabbing and photography. The afternoon will focus on measurements of porosity, permeability, and saturation on unconventional rocks via the Tight Rock Analysis (TRA) method.

Completion Quality– In day three, the course will focus on geomechanics laboratory techniques including continuous strength profiling (scratch testing), sample preparation, CT scanning of core and samples, Brazil tensile, unconfined compressive strength and triaxial tests. Students will then be introduced to geomechanical evaluation of unconventional reservoirs to assess completion quality near the wellbore and in the far field including anisotropic property evaluation through multi-stress testing. Examples will be given of the application of geomechanics data to completion design, wellbore stability, and production management. The day will conclude with an extended hands on tour of the geomechanics laboratory.

Data Integration – In day four, the course will focus on the integration of the core measurements (discussed earlier in the week) with log data. Integration of core and log measurements allows the identification of ‘Sweet Spots’. Completion quality data can be used to assist in the design of hydraulic fracture treatments. Integration of the core analysis with log data allows core results to be extended to wells without core.

Large Scale Drilling and Completion – In day five, the course will focus on the operation of the large scale drilling and completion laboratory. This facility allows clients to conduct large scale experiments under downhole conditions. Testing in this facility can provide insight into critical problems clients face in (for example) the completion of tight gas shale formations.

The course will conclude with an actual shale core and data integration exercise. Students will be broken into groups and given a whole core and associated data in order to apply lessons learned throughout the week to assess the heterogeneity, reservoir quality and completion quality of a well and make recommendations. Students will present their results back to course instructors and given feedback.