Unconventional Reservoir Production (Rate-Transient) Analysis

Disciplines: Data Science and Engineering Analytics | Reservoir

Course Description

This course introduces a workflow and reviews methods for performing quantitative rate-transient analysis of fractured vertical and multi-fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs), produced from unconventional (low-permeability) gas and light oil reservoirs, including shales. State-of-the-art methods to account for unconventional reservoir complexities, such as multi-phase flow and stress-dependent permeability, are introduced, and their application is demonstrated using field examples. Techniques for analysis of both long-term (online) production and short-term (flowback) data are discussed.

Upon completion of this course, participants should:

Recognize typical flow-regimes observed for MFHWs completed in unconventional reservoirs, and understand how to identify them using diagnostic plots
Understand the origin of some important RTA models used to analyze unconventional reservoirs
Understand how to correct for variable operating conditions and fluid properties
Be conversant with straight-line (flow regime analysis) and type-curve methods, and how they are used to derive fracture/reservoir properties and fluid in place
Be familiar with how unconventional reservoir properties may be incorporated into RTA models
Be conversant with a rigorous workflow for the analysis of unconventional reservoir production data

Learning Level

Intermediate

Course Length

1-2 Days

Why Attend

Unconventional gas reserves are transforming energy outlooks around the world. This course is a must for those who require background in the latest techniques.

Who Attends

Engineers, geologists and managers in industry or academia involved in developing or evaluating unconventional gas reserves will benefit from a background in the latest techniques for production analysis of unconventional reservoirs.

Special Requirements

Participants should have a basic understanding of general engineering and geologic terms.

CEUs

0.8 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) are awarded for the 1-day version of this course and 1.6 CEUs for the 2-day version.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be received no later than 14 days prior to the course start date. Cancellations made after the 14-day window will not be refunded. Refunds will not be given due to no show situations.

Training sessions attached to SPE conferences and workshops follow the cancellation policies stated on the event information page. Please check that page for specific cancellation information.

SPE reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule courses at will. Notification of changes will be made as quickly as possible; please keep this in mind when arranging travel, as SPE is not responsible for any fees charged for cancelling or changing travel arrangements.

We reserve the right to substitute course instructors as necessary.

Instructor

Christopher R. Clarkson is a professor and the Shell/Encana Chair in Unconventional Gas and Light Oil research in the Department of Geoscience, and an adjunct professor with the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Calgary. His work focus in the industry was on exploration for, and development of, unconventional gas (UG) and light oil (ULO) reservoirs. His research focus, since coming to the University of Calgary in 2009, has been on advanced reservoir characterization methods for UG-ULO, such as rate- and pressure-transient analysis, flowback analysis, and core analysis. He is also interested in simulation of enhanced recovery processes in UG-ULO, and how these processes can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Clarkson leads an industry-sponsored consortium called “Tight Oil Consortium," focused on these research topics for unconventional light oil reservoirs in Western Canada.

Clarkson holds a Ph.D. in geological engineering from the University of British Columbia, Canada, and is the author of numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific and engineering journals. Clarkson was an SPE Distinguished Lecturer for the 2009-2010 lecture season, is the 2016 recipient of the SPE Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award (Canadian Region), and the 2018 recipient of the SPE Calgary Sections’ Technical Excellence and Achievement Award. He also received the 2017 ASTech award for “Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology and Innovation” for his work on rate-transient analysis of unconventional reservoirs.