Unconventional Petroleum Reservoirs: fluid-rock interactions and induced seismicity during hydraulic fracturing and reservoir characterisation

非常规石油储层：水力压裂和储层表征过程中的流体-岩石相互作用和诱发地震活动

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-03788
• 负责人: Bustin, Robert
• 金额: $ 2.33万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=710187
• 关键词: Unconventional; Petroleum; Reservoirs; fluid; rock

Over the last 15 years there has been a paradigm shift in North America from hydrocarbon production from conventional, permeable reservoirs to ultra-low permeability, unconventional reservoirs. The exploitation of unconventional resources is made possible by injection of large volumes (millions of litres) of fluid at high pressures to hydraulically create a permeable fracture network in the reservoir. The process of hydraulically fracturing in some areas result in anomalous induced seismicity (AIS), and the fluids used may damage the reservoir and are viewed by some as potential contaminants. The potential for AIS and real or perceived problems associated with the large volume of fluid utilised are the most important issues currently facing sustainable development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources. Our research will contribute to: 1) prevention and/or mitigation of AIS due to hydraulic fracturing; 2) understanding fluid rock interactions to minimize reservoir and fluid damage; and 3) better characterisation of reservoirs to optimise exploration and production. Our studies on AIS are multifaceted and include real time monitoring of seismicity during hydraulic completions to develop a traffic light/early warning system that can be used during fracing. The field data will be interpreted in the context of hydraulic fracturing metrics, including pressure, temperature and fluid properties, to understand processes. The results of the field studies will be combined with laboratory and well tests to provide input for numerical models that will be in turn used to develop protocols to prevent or mitigate AIS. To minimize fluid damage to the reservoir we will experiment with drilling and completion fluids on important reservoirs and analyse flowback fluids following hydraulic fracturing. This research will contribute to optimising reservoir completions, and recognising, preventing and/or remediating damage to the reservoir and fluid system. Knowledge of the chemistry and volumes of flowback water will further contribute to the design of fluid blends for recycling, treatment and/or disposal and minimizing total freshwater use. We will continue to develop and refine novel protocols to better characterise reservoir rocks. We will contribute to the fundamental understanding of hydrocarbon storage in and transport through, ultra-fine grained reservoirs utilising well log analyses and laboratory experiments coupled with numerical analyses. We propose to investigate those geological factors controlling the distribution of producible natural gas liquids, condensate, and oil from unconventional reservoirs. Our studies will include well log analyses and laboratory studies to ground truth petroleum system analysis models that will provide insight into the generation, migration and retention of hydrocarbons of important unconventional formations.

过去 15 年里，北美油气生产发生了范式转变，从常规渗透性油藏转向超低渗透性非常规油藏。 通过在高压下注入大量（数百万升）流体，以水力方式在储层中形成可渗透的裂缝网络，从而使非常规资源的开采成为可能。 某些地区的水力压裂过程会导致异常诱发地震活动（AIS），所使用的液体可能会损坏储层，并被一些人视为潜在污染物。 AIS 的潜力以及与大量流体使用相关的实际或感知问题是当前非常规碳氢化合物资源可持续开发面临的最重要问题。 我们的研究将有助于：1）预防和/或减轻水力压裂引起的AIS； 2）了解流体岩石相互作用，以尽量减少储层和流体损害； 3) 更好地描述储层，以优化勘探和生产。 我们对 AIS 的研究是多方面的，包括在水力完井过程中实时监测地震活动，以开发可在压裂过程中使用的交通灯/预警系统。 现场数据将在水力压裂指标（包括压力、温度和流体特性）的背景下进行解释，以了解过程。 现场研究的结果将与实验室和油井测试相结合，为数值模型提供输入，进而用于制定预防或减轻 AIS 的方案。 为了最大限度地减少流体对储层的损害，我们将在重要储层上进行钻井和完井液试验，并分析水力压裂后的返排液。 这项研究将有助于优化油藏完井，并识别、预防和/或补救对油藏和流体系统的损害。 了解回流水的化学性质和体积将进一步有助于设计用于回收、处理和/或处置的流体混合物，并最大限度地减少淡水总用量。 我们将继续开发和完善新的协议，以更好地表征储层岩石。我们将利用测井分析和实验室实验与数值分析相结合，为对碳氢化合物在超细颗粒储层中的储存和运输的基本理解做出贡献。 我们建议研究控制非常规储层可产出天然气液体、凝析油和石油分布的地质因素。我们的研究将包括测井分析和对地面真实石油系统分析模型的实验室研究，这些模型将深入了解重要非常规地层碳氢化合物的生成、运移和保留。