Interactive Earth Modeling in Unconventional Reservoirs - Principles, Methods, and a Case Study from the Mississippian, Barnett Shale

Despite the decreased activity in shale resource exploitation over the last six months, long-term projections remain more optimistic for a variety of reasons, including the geometrically increasing demand for energy, the need for energy independence, and the global environmental pressure for a greener energy-based economy. This presentation focuses on increasing drilling efficiency through geostatistical modeling technology and cites practical workflows and methods that have proven successful in shale development. As an example, recent drilling success in the Barnett shale is shown to be the result of stochastic modeling and the integration of key reservoir properties into a predictive “super-variable” or quality index. The result is a continuing reduction in the price per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) toward sustainable economic levels, even in the current market. The case study presented can be extended to other shale plays and serves as an example of practicality and effectiveness using stochastic modeling methods to more precisely design well plans to intersect the top of objective target early remaining in the zone throughout, avoid geohazards, identify optimal drilling targets (sweet spots), and assist in economical completion practices.