Salehi_subbed.qxp 30/3/09 10:02 Page 136
New Albany Shale Gas Project – A Joint Industry Project Sponsored by the RPSEA
Figure 2: New Albany Gas Shale Project Structure
several hydraulic fracturing simulators have been developed during
the last 20 years, none is capable of predicting fracture growth in
Geological studies
the presence of natural fractures. In particular, it is necessary to use
(BEG)
a model capable of dealing with injection-induced fracture
propagation near natural discontinuities such as joints, faults and
Geochemical analysis
Reservoir engineering
bedding planes. The work under this task is focused on the
(Amherst and U Mass)
(Texas A&M)
development of knowledge and analytical models for such fractures.
Advanced fracture modelling will be carried out by Dr Ahmad
Ghassemi at Texas A&M.
Formation evaluation
Fracture modelling
(ResTech)
and diagnostics
(Pinnacle and Texas A&M)
Fracture Design and Fracture Diagnostics
Experts from Pinnacle Technologies will be in charge of design
and quality control of fracture stimulations and fracture diagnostic
Field data acquisition,
environmental studies,
surveys. We anticipate using both tiltmeter and microseismic
Best practice analysis
co-ordination and integration
(West Virginia University) fracture imaging for independent verification of fracture design,
(GTI)
as well as monitoring and control of fracture growth. It is absolutely
problem. The intrinsic physical properties of shale are such that critical to integrate stimulation, production data analysis
conventional formation evaluation techniques are not applicable, and reservoir engineering technologies to successfully evaluate and
and techniques specific to the New Albany shale must be developed. optimise hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs. To
Emphasis will be placed on borehole imaging, coring and this end, Pinnacle Technologies will evaluate current completion/
geochemical techniques, as well as seismic imaging where possible. stimulation practices in the New Albany shale, design and
perform field experiments to measure hydraulic fracture
The activities identified for this task include fracture identification geometry and evaluate stimulation effectiveness and integrate
from logs such as formation micro-imaging (FMI), circumferential the results of field experiments with geological, geophysical,
acoustic scanning tools (CAST) and construction of borehole maps of completion and production data to optimise development of the
dip projections of fractures within specific distances from boreholes. New Albany shale.
Log analysis work includes the development of advanced
methodology for calculation of shale porosity, water and bitumen Best Practice Analysis
saturations, free gas saturation and adsorbed gas through The intention of best practice analysis is to compile drilling,
correlation with core data. This work is being performed by Mr completion, fracture stimulation and production and create a
Donald Luffel, Mr Jim Lorenzen, Mr Jim Jackson and Dr Frank comprehensive database that reflects the range of practices in the
Caramanica of ResTech Inc., and includes supervision and quality New Albany shale. Once the database is populated with data from a
control of logging, coring and core analysis. statistically significant number of wells, a series of objective
numerical analyses based on fuzzy logic and artificial intelligence
Reservoir Engineering techniques will be carried out to determine the optimal combination
Pressure build-up tests in horizontal and hydraulically fractured wells of operational parameters that results in the most favourable
can be difficult to interpret because these tests involve many production instances. This task will be performed by Dr Shahab
unknown parameters and pressure transient tests require very long Mohaghegh from West Virginia University.
durations (i.e. months). Producers need to have a reliable estimate of
production to make decisions regarding well completion and to Upon completion of these analyses, GTI will compare and verify
evaluate the financial and operational requirements of the field. Dr the results with hard data from the field and augment the data-driven
Tom Blasingame and Dr Christine Economides of Texas A&M will be results with engineering-driven conclusions to arrive at field-verified
engaged in designing well testing and interpretation methods for best practices for drilling and completion of New Albany shale wells.
horizontal and hydraulically fractured wells using existing pressure
transient models. This task is devoted to the analysis/interpretation Environmental and Water Management Studies
of the available pressure transient test data obtained from the gas The shift of New Albany shale gas from an emerging to an existing
shales study area, as well as new pressure transient data. Production resource category entails drilling and completion of thousands of
data analysis is focused on production analysis for horizontal and wells and the establishment of gathering systems, processing plants,
hydraulically fractured wells. In addition, the project plans to develop compressor stations and so forth. Subsequent to determination of
new pressure transient models for horizontal and fractured wells. substantial producible reserve and upon identification of technically
The optimum approach is to review existing literature and begin to effective and economically optimal development technologies,
build a conceptual/mathematical model in the first year. Year two determination of the environmental impact of these operations and
will be devoted to the refinement of the model and comparison with facilities in terms of water requirement and waste management is
observed well behaviour. imperative. In addition, water resources to meet the needs of the
upstream and downstream operations must be identified and a
Fracture Modelling prudent water management scheme needs to be designed. Dr
Commercial production from tight sands and shale formations Thomas Hayes of GTI will be undertaking these studies during the
invariably involves hydraulic fracturing of the formation. Although latter stages of the project.
136
EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION – VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1
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