Abstract
Shale gas development involves aggressive hydraulic fracturing of naturally fractured rock masses to generate an interconnected open fracture network with a large internal surface area for gas drainage. Conventional hydraulic fracture design software cannot cope adequately with fracture propagation in naturally fractured rock, and it is not clear what form a better design software environment will take, but activity in a number of directions is taking place. Several preliminary options are discussed herein, along with a review of shale gas occurrence and the geomechanical aspects of its development.
The presentation will start with a brief overview of the shale oil and shale gas potential of Canada as it is currently understood.
Biosketch: Professor Dusseault carries out research in coupled problems in geomechanics, oil production, and novel deep waste disposal technologies He holds 10 patents and has co-authored two textbooks as well as 480 full text conference and journal articles. Professor Dusseault works with governments and industry as an advisor and professional instructor in petroleum geomechanics. He was a Society of Petroleum Engineers Distinguished Lecturer in 2002-2003, visiting 19 countries and 28 separate SPE sections, speaking on New Oil Production Technologies. He teaches a number of professional short courses in subjects such as production approaches, petroleum geomechanics, waste disposal, and sand control, presented in 20 different countries in the last 10 years.