Unconventional Reservoir Engineering: Concepts and Applications

Course Description

Embark on an enlightening journey into the world of Unconventional Reservoir Geomechanics with this comprehensive course offered by StanfordOnline. This cutting-edge program delves deep into the revolutionary techniques that have transformed the global energy landscape: horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in extremely low permeability unconventional reservoirs. Designed for both geoscientists and engineers, this course offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, covering everything from nanometer-scale rock properties to basin-scale stress states.

What Students Will Learn

Definition, formation, and extent of unconventional reservoirs
Physical properties of unconventional reservoir rocks
State of stress in unconventional reservoirs
Horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing techniques
Reservoir seismology and microseismic monitoring
Environmental impacts of unconventional reservoir development
Managing risk of induced seismicity

Pre-requisites

General knowledge of geophysics, petroleum geology, and/or reservoir engineering is recommended
Familiarity with the content covered in the Reservoir Geomechanics course offered by Stanford Online through edX is beneficial
Proficiency in scientific computing programs such as MATLAB, Python, or Microsoft Excel for data manipulation and visualization

Course Coverage

Microstructural, mechanical, and flow properties of reservoir rocks
Field observations of fractures, faults, and stress states in unconventional basins
Horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing processes
Microseismic monitoring techniques
Production and depletion strategies
Well-to-well interactions and hydraulic fracture propagation
Environmental impacts of unconventional oil and gas development
Occurrence and management of induced seismicity

Who This Course is For

This course is ideal for geoscientists, engineers, and professionals in the oil and gas industry who want to expand their knowledge of unconventional reservoir geomechanics. It's also suitable for students pursuing advanced degrees in geophysics, petroleum geology, or reservoir engineering, as well as industry professionals looking to stay current with the latest developments in unconventional oil and gas extraction techniques.

Real-World Applications

Optimize recovery factors in tight oil and shale gas reservoirs
Design more effective horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations
Analyze and interpret microseismic data for better reservoir characterization
Assess and mitigate environmental impacts of unconventional oil and gas development
Manage the risk of induced seismicity in unconventional reservoir operations
Improve overall efficiency and productivity in unconventional reservoir development projects
Contribute to the advancement of sustainable energy extraction techniques

Syllabus

The course is structured over 10 weeks, with two units released each week. Key topics include:

Week 1: Introduction and Unconventional Reservoirs

Week 2: Stress, Fractures, Faults, and Hydraulic Fracturing

Week 3: Composition, Fabric, Elastic Properties, and Anisotropy

Week 4: Rock Strength, Ductility, and Stress Magnitudes

Week 5: Pore Networks, Pore Fluids, Flow, and Sorption

Week 6: Stress, Faults, and Reservoir Seismology

Week 7: Shear Stimulation, Depletion, and Stimulation Optimization

Week 8: Production, Depletion, and Environmental Impacts

Week 9: Induced Seismicity and Risk Management

Week 10: Discussion and Wrap-up

This course offers a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of unconventional reservoir geomechanics, a field that is reshaping the energy industry. By mastering the concepts taught in this course, students will be well-equipped to tackle the challenges and opportunities presented by unconventional oil and gas development, positioning themselves at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.