Bowland Shale well placement strategy – Part 1: Determining landing intervals using geomechanical properties

The production performance of a shale reservoir is directly affected by the geomechanical characteristics formation. A target interval will ideally develop hydraulic fractures upon stimulation that stay open with aid injected proppant. However, shales are geomechanically complex due to heterogeneities in their rock properties such as mineralogy and porosity extent which they may be naturally fractured. These can complicate task identifying ideal for placing horizontal wells. Whilst Bowland Shale UK's most prospective gas target, long wells generally not feasible or practical Craven Basin, existence many, large-offset reverse faults high bedding dips. An alternative this approach could include drilling shorter, stacked targeting different stratigraphic intervals. it unclear if there enough intervals within section desired wells, nor adequate limit vertical fracture growth between those absence latter ultimately lead well interference reduced production. issues were addressed creation series wireline log-based logs at Preese Hall-1, calibrated pressure test data. Aided results cluster analysis model, upper was classified into zones identify optimal fracturing barriers growth. Three highlighted low effective stress, toughness brittleness form excellent landing zones. Importantly, these also separated stress mitigate risk interference.