ITF issues tight gas challenge
Jeremy Beckman
Europe Editor
HOUSTON --The Aberdeen-based Industry Technology Facilitator has unveiled five new joint industry projects at OTC aimed at improving understanding of tight gas.
The projects - attracting collective funding of almost $4 million - will be conducted by Sandia National Laboratory and Colorado School of Mines in the US, and by Rockfield Software and the Universities of Bristol and Leeds in the UK. ITF member companies include BP, Chevron, Shell and Total will provide the funds, along with the UK government.
According to ITF MD Neil Poxon, members are focusing in particular on the North American and southern North Sea/West European gas basins, both of which have significant volumes of tight gas. "These reserves are typically not easily accessible due to tight pore formations and low permeability," says Poxon.
The various studies will analyze fracture treatment and the resultant productivity in tight gas reservoirs; flow regimes prior to drilling, and location of the sweet spot in order to optimize production; and also how to maximize infill drilling placement, particularly in large formations.
ITF expects to have $12 million available for its member companies by end-May for 15 projects. Among the issues it aims to address are decommissioning, high pressure/high temperature challenges within the reservoir, and ultra-deepwater development techniques. Last year, eight new technologies were implemented globally as a result of ITF-sponsored JIPs, Poxon said.
05/05/2008