Technology Trends of Shale Oil Development in North America

doi:10.12972/ksmer.2013.50.4.581

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2013 Vol.50, Issue 4 Next Page

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Technology Trends of Shale Oil Development in North America 북미 셰일오일 개발기술 동향: 장일식 · 김현태 · 윤재필
Il Sik Jang, Hyun Tae Kim, Jae Pil Yoon

31 August 2013. pp. 581-595

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Abstract

In this paper, technology trends of shale oil development which is currently booming in North America are studied. First, the characteristics and current state of shale oil resources are described. Horizontal well and multistage hydraulic fracturing are the key elements for commercial development of shale oil. Therefore, both of the plug-and-frac and ball-activated frac-sleeve method are analyzed as the type of well completion, and the applicability of multilateral wells for shale reservoirs are investigated. The key parameters for the multistage hydraulic fracturing are analyzed in terms of fracturing interval, proppants, and fracturing fluids. Fracturing strategies according to the brittleness of the shale reservoir, their resultant fractures, and post-frac evaluation techniques are also described. For better understanding of the analysis, a case study is carried out for one of the representative shale oil developments in North America. The important concepts and methodologies introduced in this paper will be beneficial to domestic companies trying to establish the strategy for the overseas shale oil development.

Keywords

Shale Oil

Horizontal Well

Multilateral Well

Well Completion

Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing

본 연구는 최근 북미지역을 중심으로 개발붐이 불고 있는 셰일오일 개발기술동향에 대해 분석하였다. 먼저 북미지역의 셰일오일의 부존 현황과 그 특성에 대해 개략적으로 기술하였다. 수평정 시추와 다단계 수압파쇄는 성공적 셰일오일 개발을 위한 필수 기술이다. 따라서 현재 다단계 수압파쇄를 위한 유정완결법인 plug-and-perf 법과 ball-activated frac-sleeve 법에 대해 분석하고 셰일 저류층에서 다가지 수평정의 적용기법에 대해 조사하였다. 균열구간 선정, 균열지지체(proppant)와 파쇄유체의 선택 등 다단계 수압파쇄의 인자분석에 대해 기술하고, 셰일 저류층의 취성도(brittleness)에 따른 파쇄전략 및 균열생성 결과에 대해 분석하였다. 또한, 수압파쇄의 효율성 평가에 사용되는 파쇄 후 평가기법에 대해 기술하였으며, 끝으로 이해를 돕기 위해 북미 셰일오일 개발 사례연구를 수행하였다. 본 연구에 소개된 기술 개념과 방법론들은 향후 국내기업의 해외 셰일오일 개발전략 수립에 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다.

키워드

셰일오일

수평정

다가지정

유정완결

다단계 수압파쇄

References

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Centurion, S., Cade, R. and Luo, X.L., 2012, “Eagle Ford Shale: Hydraulic Fracturing, Completion, and Production Trends: part II,” paper SPE 158501 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, Oct. 8-10.
Cipolla, C.L. and Wright, C.A., 2002, “Diagnostic Techniques to Understand Hydraulic Fracturing: What? Why? and How?,” SPE Production and Operations, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 23-35.
Daneshy, A., 2011, “Hydraulic Fracturing of Horizontal Wells: Issues and Insights,” paper SPE 140134 presented at SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, Woodlands, Texas, USA, Jan. 24-26.
Detring, J.P. and Williams-Stroud, S., 2012, “Using Microseismicity to Understand Subsurface Fracture Systems and Increase the Effectiveness of Completions: Eagle Ford Shale, TX,” paper SPE　162845 presented at SPE Canadian Unconventional Resources Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Nov. 30-1.
Durst, D.G., Vento, M., Tucker, G. and MacDonald, M., 2012, “Discrete Fracturing of a Deep, unconventional Shale Play Using Multilateral Technology,” paper SPE 152196 presented at SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, Woodlands, Texas, USA, Feb. 6-8.
Energycentral, 2012.10.03, http://www.energycentral.com/articles/article/2574.
Gihm, Y., Hwang, I., Kime, H., Lee, H. and Lee, D., 2011, “Geological Characteristics and Development Strategy of the Marcellus Shale,” J. of the The Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 371-382.
Hwang, S. and Jin, G., 2012, “Unconventional Reservoirs: Review on Geophysical.
Well Logging for Shale Plays“, J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 248-260.
Johnson, C.C. and Courrege, D.W., 2010, “Advances in Openhole Packer/Sleeve Completions Coupled With Multilaterals Provide Cost-Effective Solutions,” paper SPE 135268 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Florence, Italy, Sep. 19-22.
Ko, J., 2007, “Barnett Shale Gas System in the Fort Worth Basin, Texas, U. S. A.,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 455-473.
Lantz, T., Greene, D., Eberhard, M. and Pershall, R., 2007, “Refracture Treatments Proving Successful In Horizontal Bakken Wells; Richland Co, MT,” paper SPE 108117 presented at Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Technology Symposium, Denver, Colorado, USA, Apr. 16-18.
Lee, K. and Sung, W., 2012a, “A Study on Well Interference for Optimal Completion Designs of Shale Gas Wells in Horn River Area, Canada,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 292-298.
Lee, K. and Sung, W., 2012b, “Prediction of Production Performance Using RTA for Gas Wells in Horn River Shale Gas Field, Canada,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 807-814.
McDaniel, B.W., 1986, “Conductivity Testing of Proppants at High Temperature and Stress,” paper SPE 15067 presented at 56th California Regional Meeting, Oakland, Apr. 2-4.
McDaniel, B.W., 2010, “Horizontal Wells with Multi-Stage Fracs Provide Better Economics for Many Lower Permeability Reservoirs,” paper SPE 133427 presented at SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Oct. 18-20.
Mullen, J., Lowry, J.C. and Nwabouku, K.C., 2010, “Lessons Learned Developing the Eagle Ford Shale,” paper SPE 138446 presented at SPE Tight Gas Completions Conference, San Antonio, Texas, USA, Nov. 2-3.
NPC, 2011, Potential of North American Unconventional Oil Resources, The National Petroleum Council, Canada, pp. 84-101.
O'Brien, D.G., Larson Jr., R.T., Parham, R.C., Thingelstad, B.L., Aud, W.W., Burns, R.A. and Weijers, L., 2012 “Using Real-Time Downhole Microseismic To Evaluate Fracture Geometry for Horizontal Packer-Sleeve Completions in the Bakken Formation, Elm Coulee Field, Montana,” SPE Production & Operations, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 27-43.
Rankin, R., Thibodeau, M., Vincent, M.C. and Palisch, T.T., 2010, “Improved Production and Profitability Achieved With Superior Completions in Horizontal Wells: A Bakken/Three Forks Case History,” paper SPE 134595 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Florence, Italy, Sep. 19-22.
Rickman, R., Mullen, M., Petre, E., Grieser, B. and Kundert, D., 2008, “A Practical Use of Shale Petrophysics for Stimulation Design Optimization: All Shale Plays Are Not Clones of the Barnett Shale,” paper SPE 115258 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, USA, Sep. 21-24.
Shin, C., Lee, S., Kwon, S., Park, D. and Lee, Y., 2012a, “A Classification and a Survey on the Core Technology for Shale Gas Development,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 395-410.
Shin, C., Lee, Y., Lee, J., Jang, H. and Baek, Y., 2012b, “Global Distribution of Shale Gas and Its Industrial Trend,” J. of The Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 571-589.
Stegent, N.A., Ferguson, K. and Spencer, J., 2011, “Comparison of Frac Valves vs. Plug-and-Perf Completion in the Oil Segment of the Eagle Ford Shale: A Case Study,” paper SPE 148642 presented at SPE Canadian Unconventional Resources Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Nov. 15-17.
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Vincent, M.C, 2010, “Restimulation of Unconventional Reservoirs: When are Refracs Beneficial?,” paper SPE 136757 presented at Canadian Unconventional Resources and International Petroleum Conference, Alberta, Canada, Oct. 19-21.
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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
Publisher(Ko) :한국자원공학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
Journal Title(Ko) :한국자원공학회지
Volume : 50
No :4
Pages :581-595
DOI :https://doi.org/10.12972/ksmer.2013.50.4.581

[1] Bennett, L., Le Calvez, J., Sarver, D.R., Tanner, K., Brik, W.S., Waters, G., Drew J., Michaud, G., Primiero, P., Eisner, L., Jones, R., Leslie, D., Williams, M.J., Govenlock, J., Klem, R.C. and Tezuka, K., 2005, “The Source for Hydraulic Fracture Characterization,” Oilfield Review on the Web, http://www.slb.com.

[2] Centurion, S., Cade, R. and Luo, X.L., 2012, “Eagle Ford Shale: Hydraulic Fracturing, Completion, and Production Trends: part II,” paper SPE 158501 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, Oct. 8-10.

[3] Cipolla, C.L. and Wright, C.A., 2002, “Diagnostic Techniques to Understand Hydraulic Fracturing: What? Why? and How?,” SPE Production and Operations, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 23-35.

[4] Daneshy, A., 2011, “Hydraulic Fracturing of Horizontal Wells: Issues and Insights,” paper SPE 140134 presented at SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, Woodlands, Texas, USA, Jan. 24-26.

[5] Detring, J.P. and Williams-Stroud, S., 2012, “Using Microseismicity to Understand Subsurface Fracture Systems and Increase the Effectiveness of Completions: Eagle Ford Shale, TX,” paper SPE　162845 presented at SPE Canadian Unconventional Resources Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Nov. 30-1.

[6] Durst, D.G., Vento, M., Tucker, G. and MacDonald, M., 2012, “Discrete Fracturing of a Deep, unconventional Shale Play Using Multilateral Technology,” paper SPE 152196 presented at SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, Woodlands, Texas, USA, Feb. 6-8.

[7] Energycentral, 2012.10.03, http://www.energycentral.com/articles/article/2574.

[8] Gihm, Y., Hwang, I., Kime, H., Lee, H. and Lee, D., 2011, “Geological Characteristics and Development Strategy of the Marcellus Shale,” J. of the The Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 371-382.

[9] Hwang, S. and Jin, G., 2012, “Unconventional Reservoirs: Review on Geophysical.

[10] Well Logging for Shale Plays“, J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 248-260.

[11] Johnson, C.C. and Courrege, D.W., 2010, “Advances in Openhole Packer/Sleeve Completions Coupled With Multilaterals Provide Cost-Effective Solutions,” paper SPE 135268 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Florence, Italy, Sep. 19-22.

[12] Ko, J., 2007, “Barnett Shale Gas System in the Fort Worth Basin, Texas, U. S. A.,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 455-473.

[13] Lantz, T., Greene, D., Eberhard, M. and Pershall, R., 2007, “Refracture Treatments Proving Successful In Horizontal Bakken Wells; Richland Co, MT,” paper SPE 108117 presented at Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Technology Symposium, Denver, Colorado, USA, Apr. 16-18.

[14] Lee, K. and Sung, W., 2012a, “A Study on Well Interference for Optimal Completion Designs of Shale Gas Wells in Horn River Area, Canada,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 292-298.

[15] Lee, K. and Sung, W., 2012b, “Prediction of Production Performance Using RTA for Gas Wells in Horn River Shale Gas Field, Canada,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 807-814.

[16] McDaniel, B.W., 1986, “Conductivity Testing of Proppants at High Temperature and Stress,” paper SPE 15067 presented at 56th California Regional Meeting, Oakland, Apr. 2-4.

[17] McDaniel, B.W., 2010, “Horizontal Wells with Multi-Stage Fracs Provide Better Economics for Many Lower Permeability Reservoirs,” paper SPE 133427 presented at SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Oct. 18-20.

[18] Mullen, J., Lowry, J.C. and Nwabouku, K.C., 2010, “Lessons Learned Developing the Eagle Ford Shale,” paper SPE 138446 presented at SPE Tight Gas Completions Conference, San Antonio, Texas, USA, Nov. 2-3.

[19] NPC, 2011, Potential of North American Unconventional Oil Resources, The National Petroleum Council, Canada, pp. 84-101.

[20] O'Brien, D.G., Larson Jr., R.T., Parham, R.C., Thingelstad, B.L., Aud, W.W., Burns, R.A. and Weijers, L., 2012 “Using Real-Time Downhole Microseismic To Evaluate Fracture Geometry for Horizontal Packer-Sleeve Completions in the Bakken Formation, Elm Coulee Field, Montana,” SPE Production & Operations, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 27-43.

[21] Rankin, R., Thibodeau, M., Vincent, M.C. and Palisch, T.T., 2010, “Improved Production and Profitability Achieved With Superior Completions in Horizontal Wells: A Bakken/Three Forks Case History,” paper SPE 134595 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Florence, Italy, Sep. 19-22.

[22] Rickman, R., Mullen, M., Petre, E., Grieser, B. and Kundert, D., 2008, “A Practical Use of Shale Petrophysics for Stimulation Design Optimization: All Shale Plays Are Not Clones of the Barnett Shale,” paper SPE 115258 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, USA, Sep. 21-24.

[23] Shin, C., Lee, S., Kwon, S., Park, D. and Lee, Y., 2012a, “A Classification and a Survey on the Core Technology for Shale Gas Development,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 395-410.

[24] Shin, C., Lee, Y., Lee, J., Jang, H. and Baek, Y., 2012b, “Global Distribution of Shale Gas and Its Industrial Trend,” J. of The Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 571-589.

[25] Stegent, N.A., Ferguson, K. and Spencer, J., 2011, “Comparison of Frac Valves vs. Plug-and-Perf Completion in the Oil Segment of the Eagle Ford Shale: A Case Study,” paper SPE 148642 presented at SPE Canadian Unconventional Resources Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Nov. 15-17.

[26] Stegent, N.A., Wagner, A., Stringer, C., Tompkins, R. and Smith, N., 2012, “Engineering Approach to Optimize Development Strategy in the Oil Segment of the Eagle Ford Shale,” paper SPE 158846 presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, Oct. 8-10.

[27] Vincent, M.C, 2010, “Restimulation of Unconventional Reservoirs: When are Refracs Beneficial?,” paper SPE 136757 presented at Canadian Unconventional Resources and International Petroleum Conference, Alberta, Canada, Oct. 19-21.

[28] Vincent, M.C., 2011, “Restimulation of Unconventional Reservoirs: When are Refracs Beneficial?,” J. of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Vol. 50, No. 5, pp. 36-52.

[29] Westgard, D., 2002, “Multilateral TAML Levels Reviewed, Slightly Modified,” J. of Petroleum Technology, Vol. 54, No. 9, pp. 24-26.

Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers ISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online) 한국자원공학회지

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