Title
Upfront predictions of hydraulic fracturing and gas production in underexplored shale gas basins: Example of the posidonia shale formation in the Netherlands
Author
TerHeege, J.H.
Zijp, M.
DeBruin, G.
Buijze, L.
Contributor
Sterling, R. (editor)
Detournay, E. (editor)
Pettitt, W. (editor)
Labuz, J.F. (editor)
Petersen, L. (editor)
Publication year
2014
Abstract
Upfront predictions of hydraulic fracturing and gas production of potential shale gas targets in Europe are important as often large potential resources are deduced without detailed knowledge on the potential for successful stimulation. Such predictions are challenging as they need to be based on limited available data, i.e. without well tests or proper case studies. In this study, a geological model was constructed for a representative area in the South of the Netherlands (Noord-Brabant province) where a potential shale gas target (the Posidonia Shale Formation) is present in the subsurface. Petrophysical analysis of rock properties and geomechanical analysis of the stress field are performed. The sensitivity of hydraulic fracturing to rock properties, stress state and treatment schedules was studied using a commercially available hydraulic fracturing simulator. A systematic series of simulations was performed for a range of input parameters to address geological uncertainty and optimum stimulation treatment. The results show that uncertainty in leakoff coefficient and minimum horizontal stress are most important in predicting fracture dimensions and conductivity. Minor upward growth of fractures is observed for all scenarios. Analysis of Coulomb stress changes due to hydraulic fracturing shows that opening of fractures alone is unlikely to cause fault reactivation. Copyright (2014) ARMA, American Rock Mechanics Association
Subject
Earth / Environmental
PG - Petroleum Geosciences
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Geo Energy
Geosciences
Energy
Geology
Geomechanics
Hydraulic fracturing
Rock mechanics
Shale gas
Fault reactivation
Geological modeling
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2482a35e-e823-441a-8ceb-f987c43979b7
TNO identifier
524735
Publisher
American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
ISBN
9781634395236
Source
48th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium 2014, 1, 678-692
Document type
conference paper