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Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is one of the most effective stimulation methods for increasing oil and gas recovery. There are several powerful 3-D (and pseudo 3-D) numerical simulators available in the industry for designing hydraulic fracture treatments. With each model, the accuracy of the simulation results depends heavily on the input data used. Thus, it is important to prepare a complete and accurate input data set for these simulators. This can be difficult to do, however, not only because lots of data items are required, but also because many decisions must be made, such as selecting fracturing fluids, selecting proppants, and determining the optimal pumping schedule and technique. Using artificial intelligence methods, we have developed a powerful, interactive software application that uses a series of friendly and intelligent interfaces used to acquire the large amount of data needed by fracture simulators. in these interfaces, the user is guided through a set of screens specific to his problem. More importantly, the system helps the user make many decisions, such as selecting fracturing fluids and additives, selecting proppants, and selecting pumping schedules and pumping techniques. The system includes several databases from which a considerable amount of information can be accessed automatically, such as typical formation data, fluid rheology, and proppant conductivities. The system also provides a powerful expert help facility. in addition, based on the fracture simulation results, the system produces data sets that can be used to run reservoir performance and economics software. This paper presents the methodology we used to implement the system and fully describes the different parts of the system, including the knowledge bases, fuzzy logic evaluators, data acquisition blocks, and databases. The paper also describes the expert help facility in the system. A companion paper describes how we designed the system. Introduction Hydraulic fracturing is often expensive. A large hydraulic fracture treatment can be as much as one-fourth to one-half of the total cost to drill and complete a well. To design an optimal fracture treatment requires (1) a powerful design tool, (2) a good input data set, and (3) practical experience and expertise. Though there are some powerful 3-D (and pseudo 3-D) numerical simulators available for designing fracture treatments in the industry, the accuracy of the simulation results depends heavily on the input data used. To prepare a good input data set is usually not easy, however, not only because lots of data items are required, but also because many decisions have to be made, such as, selecting fracturing fluid systems, selecting proppants, and determining the optimal pumping schedule treatment size. Different engineers use a fracture design model in different ways depending on their level of knowledge and experience. P. 19^
- Geology > Geological Subdiscipline > Geomechanics (0.68)
- Geology > Rock Type (0.46)
- North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Yeso Formation (0.99)
- North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Yates Formation (0.99)
- North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Wolfcamp Formation (0.99)
- (21 more...)
- Information Technology > Artificial Intelligence > Representation & Reasoning > Uncertainty > Fuzzy Logic (1.00)
- Information Technology > Artificial Intelligence > Representation & Reasoning > Expert Systems (1.00)
- Information Technology > Artificial Intelligence > Representation & Reasoning > Rule-Based Reasoning (0.94)
SPE Members Abstract Results of the 1991 SPE member salary survey indicate that salaries are up 3 to 5% compared to salaries reported in October 1990. Results of the 1992 SPE Starting Salary Survey reflect an increase in starting salaries accepted by B.S. graduates in petroleum engineering to $3,500/month, which is up 4.5% from a year ago. Introduction The purpose of this paper is twofold:to report the results of the 1992 SPE Starling Salary Survey for petroleum engineering graduates entering the petroleum industry from September 1991 through August 1992 and to report the results of the annual SPE Member Salary Survey based on data collected in October 1991. We look at the trends for both starting salaries for recent graduates and salaries for SPE members in various sectors of the petroleum industry, and we compare these salary data to those from prior years and from other industries. Where possible, we have interpreted the data and attempted to show how the engineering manpower trends in the petroleum industry may affect SPE members. As the authors of this paper, we present the results of both the SPE Starting Salary Survey and the annual SPE Member Salary Survey as additional data points in the trends on salaries, We do not forecast future salary points and strongly suggest it you do, you use the multiyear trends as a part of your assessments and recognize the hazards of extrapolating one-year differentials. SPE STARTING SALARY SURVEY The SPE Starting Salary Survey is conducted each year by the SPE's Engineering Manpower Committee. The 1992 survey was sent to all U.S. colleges and universities offering four year undergraduate degrees in petroleum engineering; this year, 16 schools provided useful data for the survey. The 1992 survey includes base salary offers accepted by B.S. petroleum engineering graduates between September 1991 and August 1992 for lower 48 U.S. employment. The median salary accepted by graduates having B.S. degrees was $3,500/ month or $42,000/year. The $3,500/ month salary figure represents an increase of 4.5% over the $3,347/month reported in 1991, which was the highest single-year increase since 1982. The 1990 median starting salary was $3,050/month. No data were provided to us this year for M.S. graduates. Fig. 1 shows the starting salary trend for B.S. graduates in petroleum engineering since 1983. Following sharp increases in starting salaries from 1975 to 1982, starting salaries increased quite slowly for the remainder of the 1980's. Starting salaries remained essentially flat for 1983 through 1988. This years increase of 4.5% indicates a slowing of the recent increases in starting salaries, with previous increases of 9.7% for 1991, 5.2% for 1990 and 5.5% for 1989. Starting salaries have increased 27.3% since 1988, from $2,750/month to this year's $3,500/month.
Reservoir Evaluation, Completion Techniques, and Recent Results From Barnett Shale Development in the Fort Worth Basin
Lancaster, D.E. (S.A. Holditch and Assocs. Inc.) | McKetta, S.F. (Mitchell Energy Corp.) | Hill, R.E. (CER Corp.) | Guidry, F.K. (ResTech Houston Inc.) | Jochen, J.E. (S.A. Holditch and Assocs. Inc.)
Abstract This paper describes the evaluation, completion, stimulation, and testing of Barnett Shale wells operated by Mitchell Energy Corporation (MEC) in the Fort Worth Basin of north-central Texas. In particular, the paper presents a detailed analysis of data collected from a Gas Research Institute/MEC cooperative research well that was used to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling gas production from the Barnett Shale. The Barnett Shale covers a large geographic area of north-central Texas; thus far, most of the activity is centered around Wise and Denton Counties, TX. On the basis of the data analyzed, the Barnett Shale appears to be characterized best with a layered reservoir description where most of the well deliverability is associated with thin, higher permeability, naturally fractured zones, while most of the gas-in-place is confined to thicker, extremely low permeability layers. Gas-in-place in the Barnett Shale may average 10 to 12 Bscf per 160 acres, but the better wells are expected to recover only 1 to 1.5 Bscf in a twenty-year well life. Approximately 20% of the gas-in-place in the Barnett Shale is adsorbed gas; however, desorption appears to become important only after the reservoir pressure falls below 1,000 psia (original reservoir pressure is about 4,000 psia). Evaluation of fracturing pressures and post-fracture well tests suggests long, propped hydraulic fractures are being achieved and that the hydraulic fractures are typically contained within the Barnett Shale by limestone formations above and below. INTRODUCTION AND GEOLOGIC SETTING The Barnett Shale occurs in the Fort Worth Basin of north-central Texas; it covers a large geographic area and is one of the most uniform stratigraphic units in the Basin. Fig. 1 illustrates the approximate limits of the Barnett Shale. The Barnett outcrops in central Texas along the Llano uplift, where it is approximately 30 to 50 ft thick. The shale thickens as it dips northward, reaching a maximum thickness of about 1,000 ft at a depth of approximately 8,500 ft near the Texas/Oklahoma state line. To date, essentially all commercial gas production from the Barnett occurs in Wise and Denton Counties, TX. Wells drilled in the western part of the Basin produce small quantities of oil and water, with little or no gas. P. 225^
- Geology > Rock Type > Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Rock > Mudrock > Shale (1.00)
- Geology > Petroleum Play Type > Unconventional Play > Shale Play > Shale Gas Play (1.00)
Abstract Results of the October 1990 SPE Member Salary Survey indicate an increase of about 3 to 5% in salaries received by SPE members over salaries reported in October 1989. Results of the 1991 SPE Starting Salary Survey reflect an increase in starting salaries accepted by B.S. graduates in petroleum engineering to $3,347/month. This figure is up 9.7% from a year ago and is the largest increase in starting salaries since 1982. Introduction The purpose of this paper is twofold:to report results of the 1991 SPE Starting Salary Survey for petroleum engineering graduates entering the petroleum industry from September 1990 through August 1991 and to report the results of the annual SPE Member Salary Survey based on data collected in the Fall of 1990. We look at the trends in both starting salaries for recent graduates and salaries for SPE members in various sectors of the petroleum industry, and we compare these salary data to those from prior years and from other industries. Where possible, we attempt to provide an understanding of what the data mean and how the data reflect and impact the engineering manpower supply/demand trends in the petroleum industry. petroleum industry. SPE STARTING SALARY SURVEY The SPE Starting Salary Survey is conducted each year by the Society's Engineering Manpower Committee. The 1991 survey was sent to all U.S. colleges and universities offering 4-year undergraduate degrees in petroleum engineering; this year, 21 schools provided useful data to the survey. The 1991 survey includes base salary offers accepted by petroleum engineering graduates between September 1990 and August 1991. These salary figures are for U.S. employment only, not including Alaskan acceptances. This year, too few Alaskan acceptances were reported to include an Alaskan starting salary in these results. Table 1 presents the results of the 1991 survey. The median salary accepted by graduates having B.S. degrees was $3,347/month or $40,164/year. The $3,347/month salary figure represents an increase of 9.7% over the $3,050/month accepted by graduates from September 1989 through August 1990. For M.S. graduates, the median salary accepted was $3,500/month or $42,000/year. Table 2 and Fig. 1 show the starting salary trend for B.S. graduates in petroleum engineering since 1980. Following sharp increases in starting salaries from 1975 to 1982, starting salaries increased quite slowly throughout the remainder of the 1980's. In fact, the 9.7% increase in starting salary reported for 1991 represents the largest jump since 1982; from 1983 through 1988, starting salaries remainded almost flat. This year's 9.7% increase is almost twice that reported for 1989 (5.5% increase) and 1990 (5.2% increase), and it represents the third straight year of encouraging growth in starting salaries. Starting salaries have increased 21.7% since 1988, from $2,750/month to this year's $3,347/month. Table 2 also presents the results of the College Placement Council's (CPCs) 1991 starting salary survey of petroleum engineering graduates. The arithmetic average salary offer according to the CPC survey was $3,248/month, about 3% below the SPE survey median salary accepted and about 1.8% below the SPE arithmetic average of $3,307/month. These differences are not surprising; Table 2 also indicates that the SPE median salary accepted is often 3 to 6% higher than the CPC arithmetic average in fact, the CPC median salary offer for 1991 was $3,333/month, quite comparable to the $3,347/month median salary accepted as reported in our survey. As the authors of this paper, we present the results of both the SPE Starting Salary Survey and the annual SPE Member Salary Survey as additional data points in the trends on salaries. We do not forecast future salary points and strongly suggest that when and if you do, that you use the multiyear trends as a part of your assessments and recognize the hazards of extrapolating one-year differentials. Fig. 2 shows a comparison of starting salaries for petroleum engineering graduates to those for various other engineering disciplines sought by the petroleum industry for the years 1960/61 through 1990/91.
Abstract Results of the October 1989 SPE Member Salary Survey indicate an increase of about 3 to 4% in salaries received by SPE members over salaries reported in October 1988. Results of the 1990 SPE Starting Salary Survey reflect an increase in starting salaries accepted by B.S. graduates in petroleum engineering to $3,050/month. This figure is up 5.2% from a year ago. Introduction The purpose of this paper is threefold:to provide insight into some of the demographics of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), to report the results of the 1990 SPE Starting Salary Survey for petroleum engineering graduates entering the petroleum industry from September 1989 through August 1990, and to report the results of the annual SPE Member Salary Survey based on data collected in the Fall of 1989. In the paper, we discuss the interests, job classifications, and educational backgrounds of the Society's members. We look at the trends in both starting salaries for recent graduates and salaries for SPE members in various sectors of the petroleum industry, and we compare these salary data to those from petroleum industry, and we compare these salary data to those from prior years and from other industries. Finally, where possible, we prior years and from other industries. Finally, where possible, we attempt to provide an understanding of what the data mean and how the data both reflect and impact the engineering manpower supply/demand trends in the petroleum industry. SPE DEMOGRAPHICS Table 1 shows the principal interests of the SPE's U.S. members for all membership grades except students. These data were compiled from the SPE dues statement for 1987. The table indicates the wide range of interests expressed by SPE's U.S. members. Approximately one-third (29%) of the Society's U.S. members indicated production operations as their principal interest; reservoir engineering and drilling were each chosen as the primary interest of about 20% of the U.S. members. Table 2 presents the types of businesses for which SPE members work. These data and the data in Tables 3 and 4 were taken from the SPE dues statement for 1988 and include all SPE members except students. (Computer changes at SPE prevented us from updating the data in Tables 1โ3 for 1989.) Table 2 shows that about half (51.8%) of the Society's members work for companies engaged in exploration, drilling, and production, while about 12% of the membership works in the supply and manufacturing sector of the industry. More than one-third (36.3%) of SPE members, however, indicated they work for businesses "other" than those listed in Table 2. Table 3 lists the types of jobs SPE members hold. Not surprisingly, almost half (43.3%) of the Society's members classify their job as "Engineer." In comparing the 1988 data in Table 3 with that from 1983, there is essentially no change in the percentage of SPE members holding each job type. The educational background of SPE's membership is shown in Table 4. Only about one-third (34.2%) of the Society's members hold degrees in petroleum engineering; almost half (47.0%) have engineering degrees in other disciplines. In comparing the data for 1988 with that from 1983, we can see that the educational background of the membership has changed such that the concentration of petroleum engineers has increased from 27% to 34% over the past five years. There are also fewer degreed non-engineers and non-degreed members in 1988 as opposed to 1983 (18.8% versus 26%). Fig. 1 shows the ages of the SPE's members for 811 membership grades except students. As the figure illustrates, we are a relatively young group of people. About one-third of the membership is 34 or under, one-third is 35 to 44, and one-third is 45 or older. These same splits in the ages of U.S. members in December 1980 were about 39%, 16%, and 45%, respectively. About 42% of our members in 1989 are in their 30's, reflecting both the large number of engineers entering the petroleum industry from the mid-1970's through the early 1980's and also, the likelihood that a higher percentage of this age group retained their jobs during recent periods of industry downsizing.
Abstract Results of the October 1988 SPE Member Salary Survey indicate an increase of about 4 to 5% in salaries received by SPE members over salaries reported in October 1987. Results of the 1989 SPE Starting Salary Survey reflect an increase in starting salaries accepted by B.S. graduates in petroleum engineering to $2,900/month. This figure petroleum engineering to $2,900/month. This figure is up 5.5% from a year ago and is the largest increase in starting salaries since 1982. Introduction The purpose of this paper is threefold:to provide insight into some of the demographics of the provide insight into some of the demographics of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), to report the results of the 1989 SPE Starting Salary Survey for petroleum engineering graduates entering the petroleum industry from September 1988 through petroleum industry from September 1988 through August 1989, and to report the results of the annual SPE Member Salary Survey based on data collected in the Fall of 1988. In the paper, we discuss the interests, job classifications, and educational backgrounds of the Society's members and compare this year's data to similar information collected in prior years. We look at the trends in both starting salaries for recent graduates and salaries for SPE members in various sectors of the petroleum industry, and we compare these salary data petroleum industry, and we compare these salary data to those from prior years and from other industries. Finally, where possible, we attempt to provide an understanding of what the data mean and how the data both reflect and impact the engineering manpower supply/demand trends in the petroleum industry. SPE DEMOCRAPHICS Table 1 shows the principal interests of the SPE's U.S. members for all membership grades except students. These data were compiled from the SPE dues statement for 1987. The table indicates the wide range of interests expressed by SPE's S members. Approximately one-third (29%) of the Society's U.S. members indicated production operations as their principal interest; reservoir engineering and drilling were each chosen as the primary interest of about 20% of the U.S. members. primary interest of about 20% of the U.S. members. Table 2 presents the types of businesses for which SPE members work. These data and the data in Tables 3 and 4 were taken from the SPE dues statement for 1988 and include all SPE members except students (about 50,000 members). Table 2 shows that about half (51.8%) of the Society's members work for companies engaged in exploration, drilling, and production, while about 12% of the membership works in the supply and manufacturing sector of the industry. More than one-third (36.3%) of SPE members., however, indicated they work for businesses "other" than those listed in Table 2. Five years ago, in the 1983 survey, 59% of SPE's members indicated they worked for exploration, drilling, and production companies, with 26% in supply and manufacturing companies, and 15% working for "other" types of businesses. In 1987, 64% reported working for exploration, drilling, and production companies, with 14% indicating supply and production companies, with 14% indicating supply and manufacturing, and 22% choosing the "other" category. Given the large number of members choosing the "other" category in recent years, it appears that future surveys should be designed to reflect more accurately the types of companies/businesses where SPE's members are finding jobs in an effort to better define the "other" category. Table 3 lists the types of jobs SPE members hold. Not surprisingly, almost half (43.3%) of the Society's members classify their job as "Engineer." in comparing the 1988 data in Table 3 with that from last year and five years ago, there is essentially no change in the percentage of SPE members are holding each job type. Thus, Table 3 indicates we are working the same kinds of jobs as always, but, as Table 2 suggests, many of us may be employed in different types of businesses.
- Questionnaire & Opinion Survey (1.00)
- Research Report > New Finding (0.34)
Abstract A methodology for identifying and estimating desorption from Devonian shale gas production data is presented. The methodology can be used regardless of whether independent information about the existence of adsorbed gas is available. Several example cases are presented which indicate that, in certain situations, the presented which indicate that, in certain situations, the presence of the desorption mechanism can be detected from presence of the desorption mechanism can be detected from a history match of production data. The accuracy of the parameter estimates used to describe the desorption process is also examined. Results indicate that the desorption parameters cannot be estimated accurately from production data; however, production forecasts based on history matches that include the effects of desorption are found to be more accurate than when desorption is not taken into account. Introduction The Devonian shales are one of the largest potential sources of natural gas in the United States. These naturally fractured shale formations are typically comprised of two distinct porous media: a shale matrix containing most of the gas stored in the reservoir, but possessing a low permeability, and a fracture network with a high permeability permeability, and a fracture network with a high permeability but a low storage capacity. It is believed that natural gas is stored in the Devonian shales as conventional "free" gas in both the shale matrix and the natural fracture system and as absorbed gas on the surface of the shale matrix. Because adsorption is considered to be an unconventional mode of gas storage, the effects of gas desorption are usually ignored in conventional reservoir engineering analyses. However, a series of reports published in the early 1980's indicate that adsorbed gas may account for up to 85% of the gas stored in the Devonian shales. More recent work suggests that the desorption of this adsorbed component may significantly affect the production behavior of gas wells, particularly if the wells have been stimulated. These results indicate that adsorption may be an important gas storage mechanism that should taken into account when modeling Devonian shale reservoirs. Although thousands of wells have been completed in the Devonian shales, little work has been done to characterize the desorption of natural gas from shale surfaces. The ability to characterize this desorption mechanism from routinely measured data, such as production or well test data, would therefore be highly desirable. This paper presents the methodology that was developed for identifying and estimating desorption from Devonian shale gas production data. The accuracy of the resulting parameter estimates used to describe the desorption process is also examined. Results indicate that, in certain situations, the presence of the desorption mechanism can be detected from a history match of production data. Background It is commonly assumed that gas is adsorbed on the organic kerogen often found in the Devonian shales, as well as on certain types of clay minerals present. The amount of gas existing in the adsorbed state will depend on the temperature, pressure, adsorbate (type of gas), and the state of the adsorbent (type of solid, surface area, and ability to adsorb gas). For a given gas-solid system at a constant temperature, the amount of adsorbed gas should depend only on the pressure. This functional relationship is called an adsorption isotherm. One of the most popular models used for describing the gas adsorption/desorption process is the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. According to Langmuir theory, the amount of gas adsorbed on a solid surface is given by (1) P. 253
- North America > United States (1.00)
- Europe > Norway > Norwegian Sea (0.24)
- North America > United States > Kentucky > Illinois Basin > New Albany Shale Formation (0.99)
- North America > United States > Indiana > Illinois Basin > New Albany Shale Formation (0.99)
- North America > United States > Illinois > Illinois Basin > New Albany Shale Formation (0.99)