3D Modelling of Shale Gas
Reservoirs
Emerson’s flagship reservoir modelling software Roxar RMSTM is
known for its ability to cope with whatever reservoir complexities are
thrown at it. Take advantage of this state of the art technology in 3D
geomodelling, fracture modelling, well planning and reservoir
simulation to develop shale gas reservoirs more efficiently.
IN SUMMARY
• Address shales plays challenges with tailored solutions.
• Optimise long horizontal wells drilling, number of fracking
stages and amount of proppant to be used with the best
recovery.
• Based on the best models, including facies characteristics,
fractured networks description and tight reservoirs
properties.
With RMS from Emerson – Roxar has all the technology you need to
solve these challenges. And it is much easier to use than you might
think.
• Maximise the production from ever-longer horizontal
wells.
• Build a 3D geological model and grid, and populate the grid with
parameters
• Cope with pre-existing fractures
• Identify sweet spots and then plan wells
• Simulate the production from wells, envisage different scenarios
and take cost-effective and adequate decisions based on the most
accurate results
• Perform accurate forecasts and take cost-effective and
risks-limited decisions.
The Shale Gas Challenge
Unconventional plays are characterised by a wide range of
challenges. Every plays being different, there is no unique solution.
Multi-scale elements, contradictory data and highly complex
reservoirs need to be thoroughly considered to ensure the highest
possible recovery. Uncertainties and risks assessment is critical in the
hydrocarbon extraction from shale plays because it enables the most
time and cost effective drilling strategy. An integrated
pluri-disciplinary approach is vital to evaluate the economic potential
of a reservoir and forecast production while optimizing recovery, well
placement and fracture stimulation.
The challenges for Shale Gas reservoirs are not that different from
conventional reservoirs. You still have to:
• Predict the characteristics of undrilled areas
• Predict the fracture density away from the wells and predict
reactivation areas
• Assess risks and uncertainties
• Identify sweet spots and assess stimulated reservoir volumes
• Plan wells
• Simulate production and increase recovery factors
The Solution - Building the 3D Geological Model
No reservoir is completely homogeneous; there are always
heterogeneities that are important for the drainage of the reservoir.
Roxar RMS has the toolbox to model these in 3D.
The first step is to build a Structural Model or a Framework Model that
defines the vertical and lateral extension of the reservoir. The tools in
RMS are fast and robust, and can in very few steps generate 3D grids
and maps of any reservoir - from small and simple to big and complex.
The next step is to populate the cells in the 3D grid with properties
defining the characteristics of the reservoir, such as rock types,
porosities, permeabilities, and hydrocarbon saturation.
3D Modelling of Shale Gas
The property modeling toolbox in RMS is rich, and contains a handful
of different methods to represent heterogeneity in three dimensions.
Conceptual models, trends or seismic attributes can all be used to
guide the distribution of rock types, permeabilities, or any other
parameters you want to model in 3D.
Use the “Facies Classification” tool in RMS to classify and quantify
productive shales.
RMS has a fully integrated well planning module, RMSWellplan, with
all the functionality you need to pick targets and plan wells from
surface to reservoir. With RMSWellplan you don’t need to leave the
modeling environment to plan wells - it is all integrated into one
solution.
Modelling Fractures - Addressing the importance of
fractures and SRVs
One also needs a good estimation of the size of the Stimulated Rock
Volume (SRV) and to be able to calibrate this volume using relevant
data such as microseismic data and the recovery from previous
fracking stages.
To this end, microseismic data can be used to generate a SRV
region(s) within the simulation model. These regions become areas of
changing permeabilities which help in simulating production in
shales.
Understanding the behavior of a shale gas reservoir is a lot about
understanding the fractures, RMSFracture is a tool within RMS
specifically designed to:
Simulation Production from the Wells
Roxar RMS’s integrated reservoir simulator solution, RMSFlowsim,
should be used to simulate the production from the wells, and
simulate the effects of fractures and different fracture models. More
advanced simulation is available with Roxar’s Tempest MORE
simulator, part of the Tempest Reservoir Engineering suite.
Take advantage of the market’s best reservoir modelling toolbox to
improve the reservoir management of all kinds of reservoirs –
including SHALES.
To learn more please visit www.roxarsoftware.com or email
us on [email protected].
• Predict the fracture density away from the wells
• Predict which fractures are likely to contribute to flow
• Model dynamic properties of the fractures in a way that is
consistent with observation
Identifying Sweet Spots and Planning Wells
With a 3D model describing the characteristics of your reservoir, you
have the means to identify sweet spots - areas where you should plan
your wells. Various attributes such as Poisson’s Ratio, Organic Carbon
(TOC), Brittleness, Thickness, Thermal Maturity, Gas Content etc.,
can be calculated in RMS as a function of other seismic or
geomechanical attributes.
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