--> Abstract: A Practical Use of Shale Petrophysics for Stimulation Design Optimization, by M. J. Mullen, M. Blauch, R. Rickman, E. Petre, and B. Grieser; #90092 (2009)

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A Practical Use of Shale Petrophysics for Stimulation Design Optimization

Mike J. Mullen1, Matt Blauch2, Rick Rickman2, Erik Petre4, and Bill Grieser3
1Halliburton, Denver, CO
2Halliburton, Duncan, OK
3Halliburton, Oklahoma City, OK
4Halliburton, Tyler, TX

The most common fallacy in the quest for the optimum stimulation treatment in shale plays across the country is to treat them all just like the Barnett Shale. There is no doubt that the Barnett Shale play in the Ft. Worth Basin is the “grand daddy” of shale plays and everyone wants their shale play to be “just like the Barnett Shale”. The reality of shale plays are very much the same as in tight sand plays, each reservoir is different and the stimulation and completion method should be determined on its individual petrophysical attributes. Where does one begin the journey of selecting the completion style for an emerging shale play? It begins in the laboratory.

Actual measurements of absorption-desorption isotherms are also a critical piece of the puzzle. With this type of data available, significant correlations can be drawn by integrating the wireline log data as a tool to estimate the geochemical analysis. Thus the wireline logs could be a very useful tool in extending the reservoir understanding and productivity potential away from the wellbore where actual lab data are measured. A recent review of a shale laboratory database representing principal shale lithotypes from each of the major shale plays has revealed some statistically significant correlations between mineralogy, Kerogen type, and shale lithotype to mechanical properties, sorbed gas and permeability. Mineralogy and fluid sensitivity testing also show significant correlations to regained permeability testing results. These results have been implemented in a Petrophysical model driven by wireline logs that are common in the industry. The results of the Petrophysical model are used to classify the shale by lithofacies and emulate the lab measurement results for the first step in resource in-place determination and a stimulation treatment development and design.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90092©2009 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section, July 9-11, 2008, Denver, Colorado