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Collaborating Authors
Manitoba
Abstract Successful production of oil and gas from shale reservoirs and other tight reservoirs largely depends on the artificially-created fractures. The quality of the artificial fractures is determined by the geomechanical properties of the formation. Ductile behavior of the formation rocks presents a challenge in hydraulic fracturing, while sections with brittle behavior are the priority for fracturing operation. If the mechanical properties of the formation can be predicted without additional drilling, the hydraulic fracturing process can be better optimized economically. Utilizing the example of the Bakken formation, this paper investigated the regularity of the geomechanical properties and its correlation with the stratigraphic sequence. More than 160 Bakken samples of different depths from 8 wells were collected and used in laboratory tests. Geomechanical properties of these samples were measured. Based on the test results, these samples were categorized either as ductile or brittle. Then the variation of their geomechanical properties was correlated with the stratigraphic sequence. This correlation was established in order to provide an explanation to the variation of the brittle characteristic of the rocks. Since the general stratigraphic sequence model of the Bakken formation is already identified and mapped by previous researchers, this correlation provides an approach to predict the geomechanical properties in different intervals of the formation, and offers support in selecting, designing, and optimizing the hydraulic fracturing operation. The methodology developed in this paper can be also applied in other tight reservoirs and formations.
- North America > United States > North Dakota (1.00)
- North America > United States > Montana (1.00)
- North America > Canada > Saskatchewan (1.00)
- North America > Canada > Manitoba (1.00)
- Geology > Geological Subdiscipline > Geomechanics (1.00)
- Geology > Rock Type > Sedimentary Rock > Carbonate Rock (0.94)
- Geology > Rock Type > Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Rock > Mudrock > Shale (0.38)
Elastic and Plastic Mechanical Properties of Liquids-Rich Unconventional Shales and Their Implications for Hydraulic Fracturing and Proppant Embedment: A Case Study of the Nordegg Member in Alberta, Canada
Cui, A. (Trican Geological Solutions Ltd.) | Glover, K. (Trican Geological Solutions Ltd.) | Wust, R.A.J. (Trican Geological Solutions Ltd.)
Abstract Elastic and plastic mechanical properties of liquids-rich shale rocks play a critical role in well placement and stimulation. In this study, elastic, plastic, and failure behavior of the Lower Jurassic Nordegg Member from various wells in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin is investigated with laboratory triaxial compression tests. The triaxial compression tests show a wide range of elastic parameters, e.g. Young’s moduli ranging from <10 GPa to >30 GPa and Poisson’s ratios from <0.15 to >0.35. Mechanical anisotropy is also observed with vertically-oriented samples (normal to bedding) generally having lower compressive strength and Young’s modulus than horizontally-oriented samples (parallel to bedding). The characteristics of plastic deformation, brittle and/or ductile behavior, and residual strengths are also investigated. The variability in measured mechanical properties suggests the highly variable lithologies and fabrics in these samples. Efforts are made to delineate possible correlations between the rock mechanical properties, mineralogy, fabric, porosity, and pore-throat size distribution. The study also discusses the implications of the variable elastic and plastic mechanical properties on determining optimal placement of horizontal wells in the Nordegg Member, designing for multistage-fracture stimulation and selecting appropriate proppant. Proppant embedment and fracture conductivity are discussed using laboratory data and analytical and numerical analyses.
- Geology > Geological Subdiscipline > Geomechanics (1.00)
- Geology > Rock Type > Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Rock > Mudrock > Shale (0.91)
- North America > Canada > Saskatchewan > Western Canada Sedimentary Basin > Alberta Basin (0.99)
- North America > Canada > Northwest Territories > Western Canada Sedimentary Basin > Alberta Basin (0.99)
- North America > Canada > Manitoba > Western Canada Sedimentary Basin > Alberta Basin (0.99)
- (2 more...)