Unconventional Petroleum Reservoirs: fluid-rock interactions and induced seismicity during hydraulic fracturing and reservoir characterisation

在过去的15年里，北美的油气生产模式发生了转变，从常规的、可渗透的油藏转向超低渗透的非常规油藏。非常规资源的开发是通过在高压下注入大量（数百万升）流体，在储层中形成水力渗透性裂缝网络来实现的。某些地区的水力压裂过程会导致异常诱发地震活动（AIS），所使用的流体可能会破坏储层，并被一些人视为潜在的污染物。AIS的潜力以及与大量流体使用相关的实际或感知问题是目前非常规油气资源可持续开发面临的最重要问题。我们的研究将有助于：1)预防和/或减轻水力压裂引起的AIS；2)了解流体与岩石的相互作用，以尽量减少储层和流体的损害；3)更好地描述储层特征，以优化勘探和生产。***我们对AIS的研究是多方面的，包括在水力完井期间实时监测地震活动，以开发可在压裂过程中使用的交通灯/预警系统。现场数据将在水力压裂指标的背景下进行解释，包括压力、温度和流体性质，以了解过程。现场研究结果将与实验室和井试相结合，为数值模型提供输入，然后用于制定预防或减轻AIS的方案。******为了尽量减少流体对储层的损害，我们将在重要的储层上试验钻井和完井液，并分析水力压裂后的返排液。这项研究将有助于优化储层完井，识别、预防和/或修复对储层和流体系统的损害。对返排水的化学性质和体积的了解将进一步有助于设计用于回收、处理和/或处置的流体混合物，并最大限度地减少淡水的总使用量。******我们将继续开发和完善新的方案，以更好地表征储层岩石。我们将利用测井分析、实验室实验和数值分析，对超细粒储层中的油气储存和运移进行基本理解。***我们建议研究控制可采天然气液、凝析油和非常规油藏原油分布的地质因素。我们的研究将包括测井分析和实验室研究，以地面真实的石油系统分析模型，这将为重要非常规地层的碳氢化合物的生成、运移和保留提供深入的见解。

Over the last 15 years there has been a paradigm shift in North America from hydrocarbon production from conventional, permeable reservoirs to ultra-low permeability, unconventional reservoirs. The exploitation of unconventional resources is made possible by injection of large volumes (millions of litres) of fluid at high pressures to hydraulically create a permeable fracture network in the reservoir. The process of hydraulically fracturing in some areas result in anomalous induced seismicity (AIS), and the fluids used may damage the reservoir and are viewed by some as potential contaminants. The potential for AIS and real or perceived problems associated with the large volume of fluid utilised are the most important issues currently facing sustainable development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources. Our research will contribute to: 1) prevention and/or mitigation of AIS due to hydraulic fracturing; 2) understanding fluid rock interactions to minimize reservoir and fluid damage; and 3) better characterisation of reservoirs to optimise exploration and production. ***Our studies on AIS are multifaceted and include real time monitoring of seismicity during hydraulic completions to develop a traffic light/early warning system that can be used during fracing. The field data will be interpreted in the context of hydraulic fracturing metrics, including pressure, temperature and fluid properties, to understand processes. The results of the field studies will be combined with laboratory and well tests to provide input for numerical models that will be in turn used to develop protocols to prevent or mitigate AIS.******To minimize fluid damage to the reservoir we will experiment with drilling and completion fluids on important reservoirs and analyse flowback fluids following hydraulic fracturing. This research will contribute to optimising reservoir completions, and recognising, preventing and/or remediating damage to the reservoir and fluid system. Knowledge of the chemistry and volumes of flowback water will further contribute to the design of fluid blends for recycling, treatment and/or disposal and minimizing total freshwater use.******We will continue to develop and refine novel protocols to better characterise reservoir rocks. We will contribute to the fundamental understanding of hydrocarbon storage in and transport through, ultra-fine grained reservoirs utilising well log analyses and laboratory experiments coupled with numerical analyses. ***We propose to investigate those geological factors controlling the distribution of producible natural gas liquids, condensate, and oil from unconventional reservoirs. Our studies will include well log analyses and laboratory studies to ground truth petroleum system analysis models that will provide insight into the generation, migration and retention of hydrocarbons of important unconventional formations.