This course explains the essential aspects of geomechanics in shale gas. It offers a unified approach that combines the theoretical, laboratory and field aspects of exploring unconventional reservoirs. Case histories are used to reinforce the concepts.

Topics Include:

• Predicting pore pressure, wellbore stability and hydraulic fracturing
• Evaluating shale heterogeneity
• Tight Rock Analysis (TRA) and scratch testing
• Estimating anisotropic parameters using acoustic azimuthal measurements
• Critical elements of an effective stimulation program
• The influence of natural fractures on fracturing
• Successful shale completion strategy and best practices

Intermediate

1 Day

Geomechanics plays a critical role in successfully optimizing shale gas exploitation. This course will help you make better field development and operational decisions.

This course is for engineers, geoscientists, and technologists involved in exploration, drilling, completions, and production in unconventional reservoirs.

0.8 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) awarded for this 1-day course.

To receive a full refund, all cancellations must be received in writing no later than 14 days prior to the course start date. Cancellations made after the 14-day window will not be refunded. Send cancellation requests by email to trainingcourses@spe.org; by fax to +1.866.460.3032 (US) or +1.972.852.9292 (outside US); or mail to SPE Registration, PO Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083.

For more details, please contact us at trainingcourses@spe.org.

Safdar Khan is a senior geomechanics specialist with Schlumberger, and has more than 14 years of research and consulting experience in the oil and gas industry. His experience with unconventional reservoir geomechanics includes anisotropic stress profiling, wellbore stability analysis, stimulation design, caprock integrity analysis, thermal reservoir modeling, casing and well integrity analysis, reservoir compaction, and subsidence prediction and monitoring. Khan has written several technical papers and has taught numerous training courses on geomechanics internationally. He holds a PhD in geomechanics from University of Toronto.

David Handwerger is a senior geophysicist with TerraTek, a Schlumberger company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is primarily involved in core-log integration for tight gas shales and other unconventional reservoirs, including tight gas sands and coalbed methane. He is an expert in the log signatures of shales, shale petrophysics, shale geology and the modeling and statistical analysis of log data. Handwerger is an SPE Distinguished Lecturer for 2010–2011. He holds a PhD in geophysics from the University of Utah.

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