Optimizing Drilling & Completions in Shale

Shale completions are costly. Selecting the optimum zones, spacing and parameters can increase both efficiency and production. With conditions that can vary quickly along the lateral and from well-to-well, determining this combination takes detailed knowledge of subsurface heterogeneity. Cutting analysis can fill the information gap in laterals that have not been logged. Seismic attributes map subsurface heterogeneity and enable more detailed reservoir models. Geomechanical modeling can provide scenario testing for completion strategies.  Use them together to build a completion plan that places stages for consistent production results.

Get the Measure of Subsurface Heterogeneity

Horizontal well lengths and the number of frac stages has doubled in the last five years. As a result production from shale plays has increased. However, more expensive wells also means increased break-even and some wells remain uneconomic. A more strategic and targeted approach to completions can optimize production, efficiency and help to control costs.

CGG provides an integrated geoscience approach to help you look at how completion programs could be optimized. Our multi-client Reservoir Optimization Programs bring together seismic attributes, formation evaluation and geological data for effective shale reservoir characterization. Well placement and trajectories can be improved using lithofacies distribution from seismic inversion to maximize reservoir contact.

Our field-portable RoqScan™ automated mineralogical analysis system can provide quantitative analysis of drilling cuttings to populate missing formation evaluation data along the lateral, helping you to determine optimum zones for hydraulic fracturing based on hard data like mineralogy, rock texture and brittleness index.

Geomechanical modeling can provide greater insight into completion design. PowerLog® Frac takes the guess work out of generating the rock and fluid properties required for frac design. GeoConsulting services can then help you to perform completion scenario testing using a coupled geomechanical and reservoir modeler.

While it might be difficult to alter drilling patterns and completion programs on the fly, there are new opportunities for you to improve their effectiveness and reduce the number of non-economic wells.