--> Workflow for Stratigraphic Characterization of Unconventional Gas Shales, R. M. Slatt, P. Singh, R. P. Philp, K. J. Marfurt, Y. Abousleiman, N. R. O’Brien, and E. V. Eslinger, #90093 (2009)

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Workflow for Stratigraphic Characterization

of Unconventional Gas Shales

 

 

R. M. Slatt1, P. Singh2, R. P. Philp1, K. J. Marfurt1, Y. Abousleiman1,

N. R. O’Brien3, and E. V. Eslinger4,5

 

1ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

 

2Chevron, Inc., Houston, Texas

 

3Department of Geology, State University of New York, Potsdam, New York

 

4Eric Geosciences

 

5The College of St. Rose, Albany, New York

 

  

ABSTRACT

 

Even though shales exhibit substantially different textural, compositional, and petrophysical properties than sandstones and carbonates, over the past few years our shale research group has learned that well-established sequence stratigraphic principles can be applied to characterize shales and to establish their depositional and diagenetic history.  A multidisciplinary workflow has emerged from this research which integrates sedimentology, petrography, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, lithostratigraphy geochemistry, biostratigraphy, well logs (including borehole image logs), and 3D seismic processing and interpretation.

 

The results of this workflow include the ability to (a) establish a depositional sequence stratigraphic framework for specific unconventional gas shales, (b) correlate stratigraphic, sedimentologic and geochemical parameters, (c) relate lithofacies to potential gas migration pathways and planes of geomechanical weakness, and (d) regionally map fine-scale stratigraphic intervals from calibrated seismic and well logs.  This workflow is applicable to other unconventional gas shales than those we have studied.  In addition to providing a better understanding of the relations between stratigraphy and contained gas and its production, educational opportunities are being provided to university students who can then actively participate in the exploration for, and exploitation of this growing global energy resource.

 

 

Slatt, R. M., P. Singh, R. P. Philp, K. J. Marfurt, Y. Abousleiman, N. R. O’Brien, and E. V. Eslinger, 2009, Workflow for stratigraphic characterization of unconventional gas shales:  Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 59, p. 699-710.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90093 © 2009 GCAGS 59th Annual Meeting, Shreveport, Louisiana