Design and
Execution of Horizontal Wells in Gas Shales Using Borehole Images and
Geochemical Data
Miller, Camron K.1, Rick Lewis2,
Keith Bartenhagen2 (1) Schlumberger Data and Consulting Services,
Horizontal drilling is a key technology
used worldwide in conventional and unconventional reservoirs to maximize and
speed the recovery of hydrocarbons. Most conventional reservoirs within the
These projects require interaction
between geologists, engineers, and petrophysicists to develop a detailed and
integrated approach to the design and execution of horizontal wells. Key
reservoir parameters and evaluation packages have been established for gas
shale deposits.
Borehole images and geochemical data have
become the standard evaluation technique for gas shales. Geochemical logs
provide a gamma-ray-independent clay content and a matrix density that corrects
for the complex lithology of shales. These data are used along with borehole
images to identify shale layers with the optimal mineralogy for reservoir
performance and drillability. Borehole images allow one to identify and define
the orientation of bedding, drilling-induced and natural fractures, and faults.
These data are used to determine the drilling azimuth and inclination angle for
the horizontal well.
These techniques have been successfully
applied to many horizontal wells within the continental
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90063©2007 AAPG Annual Convention, Long Beach, California