Varying Fracture Properties to Achieve Maximum Recovery of Natural Gas From Shale

Thomas Prince*, Kashy Aminian, Samuel Ameri, and Mohamed El Sgher
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation No.: 63

Assigned Category (Presentation Format): Engineering (Poster Presentations)

Student’s Major: Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

The introduction of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing has allowed previously untapped oil and natural gas resources in shale to become productive. One such formation, the Marcellus Shale, has led the Appalachian region to become the top natural gas producer in the country. This study utilized a reservoir simulation software, known as CMG, to model these reservoirs and determine the most effective methods of extracting natural gas. Using this software, hydraulic fracture parameters can be used to replicate the real-world methods of extracting natural gas from these shale formations. The hydraulic fracture parameters were manipulated to determine the most efficient method of extracting the natural gas. The results showed that an increase in fracture half-length along with reducing the fracture stage spacing yielded the maximum gas recovery. Meanwhile, changes in fracture conductivity have an insignificant impact on the gas recovery. This information is essential to ensure that natural gas can be extracted most efficiently from shale formations. The extraction of these natural resources is essential to continue delivering power to our country and stimulate the regional economy.

Funding:

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's SURE program (Rita Rio & Michelle Richards-Babb)