The Gachsaran Formation across Onshore Abu Dhabi and possibly across U.A.E poses high potential of generating Shallow Biogenic Gas (mainly methane) and as such has taken the attention to further investigate, understand and evaluate its capability for promising Gas Resources. The paper provides a detailed G&G analysis that has potentially allowed an appropriate characterization of this unique formation that has first time uncovered interesting data responses in differentiating the sweet spot. For the first time in the history of U.A.E., new data was acquired targeting specifically the Miocene, Gachsaran Formation. This includes; 2D Seismic and party 3D Seismic interpretations, thousands of feet continuous core, conventional and advanced subsurface and surface loggings, Formation Pressure, Fluid sampling, Geochemical and Geomechanical labs measurements, stimulations and Frac tests data. The Gachsaran Formation is very challenging due to complex, thinly bedded and intercalated lithological varitions, and tightness provides difficulties in identifying the promising areas of Gas bearing layers. A comprehensive analysis was performed, in the light of regional understanding, by integrating the results of all available data in the form of correlation, cluster analysis, cross plotting and well based rock physics to differentiate the effect of Gas existence within the formation. The potential zones were further tested and results were integrated to confirm the analysis. The Gachsaran Formation has been subdivided into Lower, Middle and Upper Gachsaran Members. The Lower Member is predominantly evaporitic, becoming more argillaceous carbonate and shale –bearing in the the Middle Member with comparatively less anhydrites. The Upper Member contains mainly anhydrites with interbedded shales and carbonates. The potential sequences which represent high Total Organic Carbon and Gas Shows are found within the Middle Gachsaran. Consequently, the Middle Gachsaran Member was analyzed based on the robust data acquisition performed. Several relationships among GR, TOC, Gas shows, Lithology, RHOB, NPHI, Sonic, AI, Vp/Vs, Gradient Impedance and XRD Clay mineralogy have been attempted to check possible identification of Gas existence effect on the data. This has led to identify the sweet spots caused by the existence of any dominant Gas within the Study Area. The potential zones were confirmed by well testing. Furthermore, data variables were distributed within a 3D Grid and based on the analysis performed the area of sweet spots were identified. In the next phase of the study, the results will be integrated with the upcoming Geophysical Seismic Inversion studies to further optimize the possibility of identifying the sweet spot across the Study Area. The robust data acquisition targeting Gachsaran was performed first time in the history of U.A.E. The results are encouraging in establishing the relationship to identify the dominant existence of Gas effects within the area. The estimation of realistic Gas In-Place and its confirmation of commercial discovery will open a new era of Shallow Gas resources within U.A.E.
Recently unconventional gas resources including the shallow biogenic gas reservoirs have received great attention around the world due to technical advances in the field development and corresponding large in-place resources. However, the technologies needed for the effective development of unconventional reservoirs are still behind the industry needs, for example the gas recovery rates from these unconventional resources are still very low. The Miocene Gachsaran Formation across Onshore Abu Dhabi and Dubai possesses high potential of generating shallow biogenic gas. To understand and evaluate its capability for a promising gas resources a dynamic model and field development plan were generated based on a detail G&G analysis. The Gachsaran biogenic gas potential falls under the category of unconventional resources due to the existence of adsorbed gas within the organic matter and clay. The paper provides a detailed numerical simulation approach from a modified commercial simulators to simplify analytical solutions for adsorbed gas in-place calculation and full field development plan. The construction of dynamic model to tackle the growing advances in drilling and stimulation technologies for such complex tight reservoirs have become possible. These reservoirs are still challenging to produce due to their complex geology, tightness and requirements of advance production technologies such as hydraulic fracturing to achieve economical production rates. The gas flow mechanisms in nano-pores cannot be simply described by Darcy flow equation. In addition, due to large-scale fracturing, the conventional single porosity model is not enough to simulate the characteristics of these source rock type reservoirs. Furthermore, advanced simulation methods such as molecular dynamic simulation are computationally challenging and very time consuming. To mitigate these challenges, two alternative unique approaches were considered to model these reservoirs: (1) application of analytical methods to characterize the primary characteristics of nano-pores, and (2) extending the conventional simulator to effectively model flow from the nano-pores gas reservoirs. The study describes the theory and application utilized to modify and enhance the capability of conventional simulator. Consequently, to properly estimate the adsorbed gas in-place and integrate the effects of Langmuir gas desorption and gas diffusion effects. Therefore, the dual-porosity model was built and coupled with local grid refinement to capture the associated hydraulic fracture design and properties. This robust modeling approach has provided an enhancement in the field development planning of such a complex regional scale unconventional reservoir.
The Miocene Gachsaran Formation across Onshore Abu Dhabi and Dubai possesses high potential of generating shallow biogenic gas. A dynamic model and field development plan generated based on a detail G&G analysis to understand and evaluate its capability as promising gas resources. Specific approaches and workflow generated for volumetric and dynamic reservoir model capable of defining the most viable development strategy of the field from both an economic and technical standpoint. The proposed workflow adapts also the development plan from single pad-scale to full field development plan. A fine-grid field-scale with more than hundreds of Pads covering the sweet spot area of three thousands of square kilometers including structure, reservoir properties built based on existing vertical wells, newly drilled horizontal wells and seismic interpretation. In this paper, a robust workflow for big and complex unconventional biogenic gas reservoir modeling and simulation technique have been developed with hydraulic fracture and stimulated area created through LGR. Independent workflows generated for the adsorbed gas in place calculation, desorption flow mechanism, and Pads field development plan. An accuracy on in place calculation, desorption flow mechanism and Pseudo steady state flow through direct and indirect total gas concentration measured using (1) Pressurize core and sorption isotherm capacity experiment, (2) Langmuir /BET function and Vmax scaling curves for each grid cells, and (3) Gas concentration versus TOC relationship. Field development plan for unconventional shallow biogenic gas reservoirs is possible only if a communication network created through hydraulic fractures connects a huge reservoir area to the wellbore effectively. A complete workflow presented for modeling and simulation of unconventional reservoirs, which in-corporates the characterization of hydraulic fracture and their interaction with reservoir matrix. Dual porosity model has been constructed with accurate in place calculation through scaling the Langmuir function and calculation Vmax for each grid cell of the full field model, The single Pad design approach in the development plan has exhibited great advantages in terms of improvement in the quality and flexibility of the model, reduction of working time with the same Pad model design which is adapted for the full field development plan. The proposed unconventional modeling and field development plan workflow provides an efficient and useful unconventional dynamic model construction and full field development planning under uncertainty analysis. Minimizing the uncertainty in place calculation and production forecasting for unconventional reservoirs necessitates an accurate direct and indirect data measurement of gas concentration and flow mechanism through the laboratory measurement. Field development plan for unconventional reservoirs is possible only if fracture network can be created through hydraulic fractures that connects a huge reservoir area to the wellbore effectively through pad completion.
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