About this forum

Low permeability shale and tight gas reservoirs require massive contact areas in order to achieve economic production rates. This contact area is achieved through a combination of horizontal well architecture and hydraulic fracturing. The currently practiced techniques work well in North America with its well-developed drilling and service infrastructure including more than 2,000 land drilling rigs, and 13 million hydraulic horsepower. In comparison, the rest of the world has only one quarter of that hydraulic horsepower available. In addition, North America has a well-developed natural gas pipeline system making it easy to move the gas from the gas fields to the consumers. While shale and tight gas reservoirs exist around the world, given the disparity between the available infrastructures, it is questionable whether the current technologies can be applied economically in areas with severe constraints. Some of these constraints are:

• Lack of sufficient drilling rigs
• Lack of sufficient hydraulic fracturing equipment and fracturing expertise
• Proximity to high population areas and handling public opinion
• Lack of sufficient water and water treatment facilities
• Requirement for protection of the environment including fresh water supplies

As we apply current technologies it is vital to develop innovative techniques and methods that minimise dependence on these constraints.

This forum will primarily explore technologies that will enable shale and tight gas reservoirs to be developed in a cost-effective manner. Future possibilities will be discussed to understand the lateral length/fracture density levels that could be reached. What other methods could be used to achieve the same productivity results using fewer resources and wells?

Potential topics include:

• Future equipment requirements for work in close proximity to population centres
• Completion and intervention technology—fluids, smart wells, multilateral completion systems
• Alternative approaches to hydraulic fracturing—multilateral drilling, fishbone wells, etc.
• Drilling technology—key enablers, operator versus service company perspectives
• Monitoring requirements

Who Should Attend?

This forum will appeal to multidisciplinary teams and technical experts in operating companies, service companies, and academic institutions who are involved in planning, drilling, completion, intervention, and production of shale and tight gas reservoirs.

What is a Forum?

SPE Forums offer an exclusive opportunity to interact with innovators, foremost professionals, and leading technologists. The objective is to create a collaborative, idea-generating forum that stimulates new ideas and innovation about future challenges facing the E&P industry.

Participants at SPE Forums are selected by the Forum Steering Committee based on their ability to contribute to facilitated discussions of the topic. Participants are encouraged to come prepared to contribute their experience and knowledge, rather than be spectators or students.

If you have a role to play in meeting the challenges of tomorrow head-on, apply today.

Benefits to You and Your Organisation

• Gain insight and perspective through conversations with peers who share your same interests.
• Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of learning through one-on-one interaction.
• Meet with other experts from international companies, research institutes, and universities in an off-the-record format.
• Form professional relationships that will continue after the forum has ended.