--> Abstract: Overview of Shale Gas Stimulation Techniques, by H. L. Matthews; #90078 (2008)

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Overview of Shale Gas Stimulation Techniques

H. L. Matthews
Cornerstone N.G. Engineering, LP, Fort Worth, TX

While shale gas has been produced in the United States for well over 100 years beginning with the Devonian Shale in the Appalachia region, explosive growth in shale gas development has occurred over the last ten years. Shale gas reservoirs represent the nation’s most significant natural gas resource which is currently economic and are expected to provide a substantial part of our natural gas supplies over the next 50 years. Major technological breakthroughs such as 3D seismic and horizontal drilling have played a part in the exploitation of shale resources. Stimulation techniques have also evolved over this period, demonstrating a significant impact on a well’s ultimate performance and a resource play’s economic viability.

Stimulation techniques developed in the Barnett Shale of North Texas have been very successful in expanding the play beyond its early area bounds. Keys to this success are based on an understanding of the geological setting, the mineralogical description of the shale, rock mechanical properties of the shale and its bounding layers both above and below, structural geology and offset activity around the well of interest. The specific conditions related to a tract of acreage are unique and adjustments to the well plan should be made accordingly. While success in stimulating the Barnett Shale of north Texas has become somewhat commonplace, other shale resource plays have demonstrated a variation of reservoir characteristics which have required alternative stimulation techniques. This presentation will briefly review the evolution of stimulation practices in the Barnett Shale of North Texas and expand into the current efforts that are ongoing in the other major shale plays such as the Woodford in Oklahoma, the Woodford and Barnett in West Texas, the Fayetteville in Arkansas, the Devonian and New Albany in the Appalachian region and the Floyd in Alabama.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas