EAGE/SPE Joint Workshop on Shale Oil 2015

Bazhenov shales were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electon microscopy (TEM) focus ion beam (FIB), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) together with x-ray difraction (EDX). The pore space of the kerogen were reconstructed and the pore dimensions were estimated. It was found that these dimensions varied between 0.2 - 2 μm. The reconstruction of the kerogen areas allowed us to estimate the volume of pore space and it was about 23%, the volume of interconnected pores - 94%. Other compounds, namely clay minerals, pyrite, quarts and some other were also found in the shales by EM, EDS and XRD

Shale complexes as low permeable strata with high generational potential belong to the group of unconventional hydrocarbon sources and are the subject of much attention worldwide in recent years. Undoubted success of shale hydrocarbons exploration in North America contribute to the study of shale complexes in many countries, including European ones. To date, Poland and Ukraine are considered to be the most promising areas for shale gas prospecting in Europe. A role in the allocation of shale areas in the Baltic region is given to the Kaliningrad region of Russia. In this paper, on the basis of comprehensive analysis the main promising objects for hydrocarbon searches are distinguished; areas of their distribution and maximum concentrations are contoured; The degree of organic matter katagenesis is determined; geochemical reconstructions of oil formation processes in the Paleozoic sediments of the Kaliningrad region are performed; preliminary assessment of hydrocarbon resources is carried out. The results obtained are based on the research of VNIGRI in 2011-2013 in the field of shales of Kaliningrad region, and are significantly supplemented by research of LUKOIL in 2013-2014 in this direction, that as a whole increases the objectivity of the conclusions.

Depressional Domanik deposits of the Timan-Pechora province are considered as a single element of geofluid system, where areas of generation, migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons are identified. Domanik shale-bearing rocks present both oil source strata and accumulation strata (depending on their litho-facial composition). The main challenge today is to identify low-permeable reservoirs in Domanik. On the example of the Ukhta region the hydrocarbon accumulations confined to areas of ore occurrences are discussed within the framework of concept of hydrogenous mineralization. It is important to note that the ore occurrences are additional geochemical criteria for the identification of hydrocarbon accumulations.

Different types of Bazhenov formation are distinguished within its areal extent. They depend on presence of reservoir units of different origins and therefore influence potential development decisions. As reservoir units are very thin, seismic modeling allow us to interpret their presence by the form of the seismic trace. Each trace could be than classified to get prospectivety map. In this work license block is classified using machine learning algorithm to distinguish regions with good reservoir under Bazhenov formation. As these algorithms have stochastic nature uncertainty analysis is done.

The current level of regulatory support does not allow subsoil users industry companies to develop studies on this type of unconventional and hard-to-hydrocarbons. In this regard, the development of suitable regulatory frameworks, legally define the status of shale oil and gas as an independent mineral types and make them into a "National Classification of mineral resources" and "All-Russian Classifier of Types of Economic Activity"; to develop criteria and accounting rules and classification of shale oil and gas as independent minerals in the law " Subsoil law" and in the future to make them into "National Classification of mineral resources" and " All-Russian Classifier of Types of Economic Activity "; Ministry of Natural Resources to approve a method for determining permeability and develop a mechanism for making adjustments indicator of permeability in the "State legister of mineral reserves" on the approved and planned for approval in SRC report after 01.01.2012. For timely exploration and development of shale oil is necessary to perform a complex of priority program-targeted activities which involve the integration of efforts of the government and the subsoil users companies to search and gain of the hydrocarbon reserves of shale strata.

The study scheme for tight oil is developed which allows to evaluate the most promising objects for exploration and subsequent development. This tool allows to estimate the object on a full cycle from geology to economy with the selection of technology solutions for the exploitation of tight oil providing them cost-effective production.

Application of the algorithm for studding tight oil in Tomsk region shows that structural stage (terraces) of the first order tectonic elements, within which small parts of shelf and river bed facies are commonly spread can be considered as perspective areas and given the scale of oil and gas generation, as well as geoeconomic evaluation of resources can be sweet spots. Performed analysis showed that the most costeffective technology solutions are variants of the linear system development with the FPM system, horizontal wells (800m) and conducting multi-stage hydraulic fracturing (8 stages).

With a view to practical testing of technological solutions, from the unallocated subsoil fund in Tomsk region, Elleysky block has been selected. On the area of the block is going to be organized experienced Polygon for new technologies of prospecting, exploration and development testing for tight oil.

The article substantiates relying on planetary jointing for the purpose of more efficient development of petroleum deposits in shale reservoirs. The research is based on correlation between currently available theoretical developments in planetary jointing and actual data on shale formations in Western Siberia and North America.

Fluid injection operations are often associated with environmental risks such as felt induced seismicity and contamination of aquifers from leakage. Recently, various shale formations have been identified as prolific sources of oil and natural gas where hydraulic fracturing is a typical technology to recover hydrocarbons from. Often, shales serve as a caprock for geological CO2 waste storage sites and are thought to keep injected fluid contained within the reservoir for thousands of years. These two roles make shales one of the hot topics of modern research. Given the lack of the long-term observational experience, estimation of the environmental risks rely on mathematical modelling of underground fluid injection and associated changes in reservoir rocks. Despite its abundance, the characterization of shale rocks remains a challenging task due to their complex chemistry, heterogeneous microstructure, and multiscale mechanical behaviors. In this work, we discuss novel approach to modelling of underground fluid injection and associated physicochemical processes within the shale cap rock