Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
University of Calgary
$192,930.00
Advanced characterization of multi-fractured horizontal wells completed in western canadian tight formations
FY 2016-17
Summary
Long horizontal wells that have been hydraulically-fractured in multiple stages along their length have enabled production of unconventional resources such as shale gas. Current industry practice is to use many fracturing stages (typically 20-30) and large volumes of fracture fluid (typically water-based, 100s of m3) to maximize production from these wells, making this practice both very energy- and resource-intensive. This project aims to allow operators to reduce the number of stages while maximizing production, and hence has both environmental and economic implications. These goals will be achieved by identifying rock quality variation along the well using new techniques developed herein. This project is of strategic importance to our industrial partners Seven Generations Energy Ltd. (7G), BitCan Geosciences & Engineering Inc. (BitCan), and Rocsol Technologies Inc. (Rocsol). 7G is an operating company seeking to improve efficiency in the development of their unconventional resources while reducing the environmental impact of their hydraulic fracturing operations - the current proposal addresses these needs. BitCan is a consulting company specializing in well-testing methods that can be used to evaluate long horizontal wells. Their technologies will be trialed and proved in this research, potentially leading to increased consulting opportunities in the future. Lastly, Rocsol is a data analytics company specializing in drilling optimization software that will be implemented in this study to assist with evaluation of rock quality in horizontal wells. Demonstration of the use of Rocsol's software for this purpose should lead to increased marketing opportunities. Finally, this project is of strategic importance to Canadians. Canada's energy sector has struggled to be competitive in the face of low commodity (oil and natural gas) prices. Further, the industry needs to address and mitigate the environmental consequences of hydraulic fracturing operations. The current proposal offers an environmentally-friendly solution to aid the flagging Canadian oil industry.
Program
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
500014-2016
Name nom
Clarkson, Christopher
Department département
Geoscience
Organization id
11
Institution établissement
University of Calgary
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2016
Competition year année de concours
2016
Award amount
192930
Program id
CRDPJ
Program name en
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
300
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use)
Area of application fr
Ressources d'énergie (production, exploration, traitement, distribution et utilisation de l'énergie)
Research subject code
2300
Research subject group en
Fuel and energy technology
Research subject group fr
Combustibles et technologie de l'énergie
Research subject en
Fuel and energy technology (economic geology, use 4003)
Research subject fr
Combustibles et technologie de l'énergie (géologie économique, utiliser 4003)
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Advanced characterization of multi-fractured horizontal wells completed in western canadian tight formations
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Long horizontal wells that have been hydraulically-fractured in multiple stages along their length have enabled production of unconventional resources such as shale gas. Current industry practice is to use many fracturing stages (typically 20-30) and large volumes of fracture fluid (typically water-based, 100s of m3) to maximize production from these wells, making this practice both very energy- and resource-intensive. This project aims to allow operators to reduce the number of stages while maximizing production, and hence has both environmental and economic implications. These goals will be achieved by identifying rock quality variation along the well using new techniques developed herein. This project is of strategic importance to our industrial partners Seven Generations Energy Ltd. (7G), BitCan Geosciences & Engineering Inc. (BitCan), and Rocsol Technologies Inc. (Rocsol). 7G is an operating company seeking to improve efficiency in the development of their unconventional resources while reducing the environmental impact of their hydraulic fracturing operations - the current proposal addresses these needs. BitCan is a consulting company specializing in well-testing methods that can be used to evaluate long horizontal wells. Their technologies will be trialed and proved in this research, potentially leading to increased consulting opportunities in the future. Lastly, Rocsol is a data analytics company specializing in drilling optimization software that will be implemented in this study to assist with evaluation of rock quality in horizontal wells. Demonstration of the use of Rocsol's software for this purpose should lead to increased marketing opportunities. Finally, this project is of strategic importance to Canadians. Canada's energy sector has struggled to be competitive in the face of low commodity (oil and natural gas) prices. Further, the industry needs to address and mitigate the environmental consequences of hydraulic fracturing operations. The current proposal offers an environmentally-friendly solution to aid the flagging Canadian oil industry.
