International oil and gas clients need to better predict in situ conditions of tight-formation oil and gas reservoirs. This is quickly assuming greater relevance since shale gas and, more recently, shale oil have made complex highly fractured reservoirs more attractive.
Those exploring for oil and gas can use predictive technology to evaluate in situ conditions of stress (magnitude and orientation) and natural fracturing levels. In cases where failure can have significant environmental, public safety or financial repercussions, companies can turn to this predictive technology to gain more confidence before exploring the subsurface.
Our Role
Golder uses an innovative combination of tools – numerical geomechanical codes together with Golders’ DFN FracMan Reservoir Edition software – to assess the 3D spatial pattern of natural fractures. This enhances the quality of prediction, allowing clients to better plan and design wells.
The cost savings that result are important, as many oil and gas companies consider developing a location with 10 to 100 wells.
Predicting in situ conditions is not confined to the oil and gas industry. Golder has also applied it to both mining and nuclear waste industries. In mining, prediction is important in establishing optimal layout and sizing of mine workings. For the nuclear waste industry it is most critical, especially if the proposed development location is heavily fractured and faulted and is also seismically or tectonically influenced.
