Dallas

The 2011-12 Dallas Chapter Officers are:

President, Brian Nicoud,  bnicoud at wmcobb.com

VP/Technology, Jim Lewis, JLewis1 at gmail.com

Secretary,  Nathan Cartwright,  Nathan_Cartwright at nexeninc.com

Treasurer, John T. Watson,  watson14 at swbell.net

Past-President, Steve Brackeen,  sbrackeen at slb.com

The Dallas Chapter holds its monthly chapter meeting on the second Thursday of each month, September through May, at the Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute on the campus of Brookhaven College in North Dallas (Bldg H, 3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Dallas, TX 75244).

          http://www.brookhavencollege.edu/pdf/maps/CampusMap_July2010.pdf

Meetings start at 11:30 for a social gathering, followed by a catered buffet at noon (cost $20). Please contact Nathan Cartwright to receive meeting notifications by email and  for making luncheon reservations.

 NEXT MEETING: Thursday, February 9, 2012  

Comparative Study of Formation Evaluation Methods for Unconventional Shale Gas Reservoirs: Application to the Haynesville Shale (Texas)

   Presented by

  Thaimar Ramirez (Apache Corporation) 

 Abstract:

Petrophysical evaluation methods for shale-gas plays include mineral-based workflows that use traditional nuclear, electrical, and acoustic measurements in combination with advanced geochemical logs. This approach seems to offer the most comprehensive petrophysical analysis for unconventional reservoirs as it seeks an integrated characterization of mineralogy, organic content, porous volume, and fluid distribution. However, this method requires a significant input data set and key model parameters that may not be well known e.g. mineral elemental weight fraction end points. We anticipate variability in geochemical modeling results may arise between operators and service companies, using different model(s) and parameters, or where cross-validation with core data is not possible. The role of geochemical modeling must also be understood in the context of field-wide application, as these data are only infrequently acquired.

We discuss results from three interpretation techniques applied in a Haynesville well (Texas) that were calibrated to core analyses from crushed-rock (GRI) methods. First, a multi-mineral approach that includes the standard logging suite and geochemical logs shows that independent petrophysical assessments from two vendors and those from in-house analysis are not in agreement. Second, a petrophysical model that uses resistivity and a combination of two porosity logs is proposed when only these log measurements are available. This model is readily extended to many wells with a common logging suite and may be applied in horizontal boreholes. Third, given sufficient core data across multiple wells, we apply a cluster analysis technique that provides robust results suitable for large regional studies. We compare results from each method to available core measurements and provide recommendations for further applications.

In this paper, we also study the role of laboratory NMR measurements to support reservoir characterization of shale gas. Laboratory NMR measurements on preserved core samples are performed in the as-received state. Core NMR porosity and water saturation values are significantly different from those of the crushed-core analysis. This observation suggests that additional laboratory NMR measurements may be required for log calibration.

The work described here provides an independent and critical analysis of multiple formation evaluation techniques applied to a Haynesville shale well with core and extensive log measurements. Results highlight the difficulty in developing a mineralbased model using geochemical logs that is consistent with both core and vendor deliverables. Interpretation of NMR data remains an elusive opportunity requiring mostly unknown formation-specific evaluation parameters.

Biography:

Thaimar Ramirez is a Petrophysical Engineer in the Exploration and Production Technology Department with Apache Corporation in Houston, TX.  Previously, Thaimar worked for ConocoPhillips, where she gained experience as a petrophysicist in both business units and technology, including Alaska exploration, domestic and international production projects, and global unconventional resource play formation evaluation.  Thaimar received a Master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 2004.  She was elected 2010-2011 editor of the SPWLA Houston Chapter and she is currently the VP Westside.  She is a member of the SPWLA technology committee and served as secretary of the SPWLA Unconventional Resources special-interest-group. Thaimar is also a member of the SPE, AAPG, and SEG.