William G. Davis Computer Research Centre, Room 1302, University of Waterloo
Abstract:
Massive
staged
hydraulic
fracturing
of
long
horizontal
wells
has
opened
up
vast
new
fossil
fuel
resources,
mainly
shale
gas,
but
also
light
oil
resources
in
low-permeability
strata.
Each
horizontal
well
can
be
on
the
order
of
one
to
three
kilometers
long
in
the
reservoir,
with
as
many
as
20-30
locations
along
the
well
length
that
are
stimulated
by
aggressive
hydraulic
fracturing
to
generate
sufficient
drainage
volume
and
surface
area
to
allow
economic
production
of
the
resource.
Some
of
these
wells
may
require
25,000
m3
of
water
for
the
hydraulic
fracture
stimulation,
and
massive
shale
gas
development
in
the
United
States
and
British
Columbia
may
involve
several
wells
per
square
kilometer.
Other
areas
in
Canada
may
soon
experience
development
of
shale
gas
resources,
including
Quebec,
New
Brunswick,
Alberta
and
Saskatchewan,
the
Yukon
and
the
Northwest
Territories.
The seminar will address these questions:
- What is Hydraulic Fracturing and why is it used in Shale Gas development?
- Typical well designs, well spacings and fracturing needs
- Water requirements: sources, impacts and options
- Fracturing fluid design and chemicals involved
- Fracture fluid flow back and handling (treatment and reuse, disposal)