An Effective Approach to Unconventional Resource Exploration in the Middle East

Abstract

In the last decade, shale resource exploitation has transformed North American production capacity through technological improvements in horizontal drilling and the ability to efficiently stimulate horizontal wellbores using multiple hydraulic fractures. The 2011 U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates there are unproved, technically recoverable shale gas resources of 827 Tcf (in addition to 20.1 Tcf of reserves) in the USA alone. Exploration and exploitation of Middle East organic-rich shales are just beginning, and discovery of economically viable resources requires a concerted effort. While Middle East resources in place could be much greater than those in North America, "sweet spots" need to be found in which established source rocks can also function as reservoirs. Evaluating these opportunities requires refined reservoir characterization workflows rather than the statistical approach that characterized early development of North American shale plays, which benefited from high gas prices, numerous existing wells, and infrastructure to support drilling and fracturing. With lower well density and higher well costs than in North America, successful exploration for unconventional hydrocarbon resources in the Middle East will necessarily rely more on modeling. A petroleum systems–oriented approach defines sweet spots by predicting reservoir quality and potential completion quality. Using proven and effective tools, sweet spots are identified early in the life of unconventional plays. Since reliable, comprehensive data concerning the behavior of shale resource systems under varying conditions are not widely available in the Middle East, petroleum systems modeling would yield key risk and value information. Standard petroleum systems modeling tools have recently been improved, providing more accurate results based on experience of modeling unconventional plays. By extending traditional basin and petroleum systems modeling with sophisticated adsorption functionality, the modeling of hydrocarbon adsorption on kerogen and primary migration within tight source rocks has been significantly enhanced. These methods have the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Middle East shale resource evaluation.

Hydrocarbon Generation Potential of the Campano-Maastrichtian Dark Mudstone Lithofacies, Benin Flank, South West Anambra Basin, Nigeria

“…This concurs with thermal maturity estimates from SCI and Tmax data obtained from our preliminary studies (Edegbai and Emofurieta, 2015), as well as from other studies (Olatinpo et al, 2016;Ogbamikhumi et al, 2017, Maju-Oyovwikowhe andMalomi, 2019;Faboya et al, 2019). Shale gas potential: Following guidelines for geological characterization of shale gas plays (Bouhlel et al, 2012), we can assess the shale gas potential of the dark mudstone lithofacies. The organic richness, which is mostly < 2 wt.% fall short of 2 wt.% which is the preferred minimum for shale gas plays (Troudi et al, 2012).…”

Understanding the Internal Variability of Mudstones: Dark Mudstone of the Campano- Maastrichtian Mamu Formation as Case Study

“…Insight from microfabric assessment indicate the existence of good petrophysical and geomechanical properties, which are desirable for gas shale development (Burns et al, 2012;Bouhlel et al, 2012).…”

4-D Petroleum Systems Modelling of the Haynesville Shale Play— Understanding Gas in Place

“…Studies performed by Abdul et al, (2010); Al-Almeri (2011); Badics (2010); Barton (2010); Derks (2009); and others addressed the heat flow, sealing capacity, pore pressure buildup, migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons in various conventional settings. However, only few studies have applied these techniques to unconventional petroleum systems (e.g., Bouhlel and Bryant, 2012;Dralus, 2011;Littke, 2011;.…”