Introduction:

Shale gas has become an increasingly important resource in the global energy landscape due to advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies. The complex geology, low permeability, and unique characteristics of shale gas reservoirs require specialized knowledge in reservoir engineering to optimize production and recovery. This course provides professionals with a deep understanding of shale gas reservoir engineering, including reservoir modeling, production forecasting, fracture stimulation, and advanced techniques for enhancing recovery in unconventional reservoirs. Participants will gain the tools and expertise needed to manage and optimize shale gas reservoirs throughout their lifecycle.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand Shale Gas Reservoir Characteristics:

   • Identify the key geological and petrophysical characteristics of shale gas reservoirs.
   • Understand the importance of porosity, permeability, and the role of natural fractures in shale gas production.

2. Master Reservoir Modeling and Simulation:

   • Learn how to build and calibrate shale gas reservoir models.
   • Apply advanced reservoir simulation techniques to predict well performance and recovery.

3. Implement Production Optimization Techniques:

   • Design and optimize well completions for shale gas reservoirs.
   • Use reservoir management strategies to improve long-term production.

4. Understand Hydraulic Fracturing and Stimulation:

   • Study the principles of hydraulic fracturing and its impact on shale gas reservoir performance.
   • Optimize fracture designs and evaluate fracture stimulation effectiveness.

5. Analyze Shale Gas Production and Decline:

   • Use decline curve analysis to forecast production and estimate ultimate recovery.
   • Apply advanced techniques for forecasting and managing production in unconventional reservoirs.

Who Should Attend:

This course is designed for engineers, geoscientists, and professionals involved in the exploration, development, and management of shale gas reservoirs. It is particularly suited for:

• Reservoir Engineers
• Production Engineers
• Petroleum Engineers
• Geologists and Geophysicists
• Well Completion Engineers
• Field Operations Managers
• Project Managers and Supervisors
• Asset Management and Integrity Engineers

The course is ideal for professionals with a basic understanding of reservoir engineering and those looking to specialize in unconventional gas reservoirs.

Course Outline:

Day 1: Introduction to Shale Gas Reservoirs

• Morning Session:

  • Overview of Shale Gas as an Unconventional Resource
    • Geology of Shale Gas Reservoirs: Source Rocks, Organic Matter, and Kerogen
    • Key Characteristics: Low Permeability, High TOC (Total Organic Carbon), and Natural Fractures
    • Global Shale Gas Reserves and Production Trends
  • Shale Gas Reservoir Properties
    • Porosity, Permeability, and Effective Stress
    • The Role of Natural Fractures and Faults in Shale Gas Recovery
    • Geomechanics of Shale Gas Reservoirs

• Afternoon Session:

  • Reservoir Engineering Fundamentals for Shale Gas
    • Differences Between Conventional and Unconventional Reservoirs
    • Pore Network and Flow Mechanisms in Shale Gas Reservoirs
    • The Impact of Fracture Networks on Production
  • Case Studies in Shale Gas Production
    • Successes and Challenges in Key Shale Gas Plays (Marcellus, Barnett, Eagle Ford, etc.)
    • Lessons Learned from Real-World Shale Gas Development

Day 2: Reservoir Modeling and Simulation for Shale Gas

• Morning Session:

  • Building Reservoir Models for Shale Gas
    • Data Collection: Core Samples, Well Logs, and Production Data
    • Integrating Geological and Petrophysical Data into Reservoir Models
    • Defining the Stress-Strain Relationship for Shale Reservoirs
  • Advanced Reservoir Simulation Techniques
    • Reservoir Simulation Basics: Flow Units, Rock Properties, and Fluid Behavior
    • Modeling Shale Gas Reservoirs with Non-Darcy Flow and Multi-Phase Flow
    • Fracture Modeling: Creating and Simulating Fracture Networks in Shale Reservoirs

• Afternoon Session:

  • Model Calibration and History Matching
    • Using Production Data to Calibrate Reservoir Models
    • History Matching and Performance Prediction
  • Practical Exercise: Building and Calibrating a Simple Shale Gas Reservoir Model
    • Participants will work in small groups to develop and simulate a shale gas reservoir model

Day 3: Well Completions and Hydraulic Fracturing

• Morning Session:

  • Well Completion Design for Shale Gas
    • Types of Well Completion: Vertical, Horizontal, and Multi-Lateral Wells
    • Designing Frac Stages and Choosing Appropriate Completion Techniques
    • Wellbore Integrity and Stimulation Zones in Shale Gas Reservoirs
  • Hydraulic Fracturing Principles
    • The Role of Hydraulic Fracturing in Shale Gas Recovery
    • Fracture Propagation, Fracture Networks, and Their Impact on Reservoir Flow
    • Fracturing Fluids and Proppants: Selection and Design

• Afternoon Session:

  • Optimizing Fracture Design
    • Fracture Stimulation Design: Number of Stages, Frac Spacing, and Fluid Volume
    • Fracture Monitoring: Microseismic and Pressure Analysis
  • Evaluating Fracture Stimulation Effectiveness
    • Production Data Analysis: Initial Flow Rates, Decline Curves, and Reservoir Connectivity
    • Case Studies of Successful and Challenging Fracture Designs

Day 4: Production Optimization and Reservoir Management

• Morning Session:

  • Shale Gas Production Optimization
    • Well Testing and Production Data Analysis
    • Optimizing Flowback and Stabilizing Production
    • Managing Well Interference and Well Spacing in Shale Gas Reservoirs
  • Reservoir Management Strategies
    • Long-Term Production Forecasting: Ultimate Recovery and Decline Curves
    • Pressure Management and Production Decline Control
    • Enhancing Recovery Factors through Secondary Recovery Techniques

• Afternoon Session:

  • Decline Curve Analysis for Shale Gas
    • Types of Decline Curves: Exponential, Hyperbolic, and Modified Arps
    • Estimating EUR (Estimated Ultimate Recovery) and Forecasting Production
  • Advanced Production Forecasting Techniques
    • Using Reservoir Simulation for Long-Term Forecasting
    • Integrating Data from Multiple Wells for Field-wide Forecasting

Day 5: Advanced Topics and Future Trends in Shale Gas Reservoir Engineering

• Morning Session:

  • Advanced Shale Gas Recovery Techniques
    • Horizontal Well Stimulation and Enhanced Recovery Methods
    • Use of CO2 Injection and Other EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) Techniques for Shale Gas
  • Future Technologies in Shale Gas Development
    • Advances in Fracturing Technology: Nano-fracturing, Smart Fluids, and AI in Fracture Design
    • Real-Time Reservoir Monitoring and Digital Oilfields
  • Geomechanics and Its Role in Shale Gas Production
    • Managing Stress and Fracture Propagation in Long-Term Shale Gas Development

• Afternoon Session:

  • Environmental and Regulatory Considerations in Shale Gas Development
    • Managing Water Use, Chemical Treatment, and Waste Disposal
    • Addressing Community and Environmental Concerns
    • Regulatory Compliance and Safety in Shale Gas Operations
  • Wrap-Up, Key Takeaways, and Certification
    • Review of Core Concepts and Best Practices
    • Q&A Session and Final Discussion
    • Certification Ceremony