Hydraulic Fracturing in the Dutch Posedonia Shale

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports a critical review of the operational principles and the most important completions techniques used in hydraulic fracturing in the U.S.A. and investigate whether they are applicable to the Posedonia geological and surface environment conditions in Europe. It is found that both cemented liner and open-hole with external packers completions wells have been used in shale gas developments. Plug and Perf and continuous pumping multi-stage hydraulic fracturing methods were respectively used. Low viscosity fracturing fluids are preferred to increase fracture complexity in brittle shale. Large stimulated reservoir volume by increase fracture density effective fracture half-lengths and use of proppant techniques to increase fracture conductivity. It is found that the Posedonia shale is comparable to several U.S.A. shale pays in terms of geological and petrophysical attributes (porosity, permeability, thickness, gas, oil and water content water). Therefore, we expect the multi-stage fracturing techniques developed in the U.S.A. to be largely applicable for the Posedonia shale. However, larger softness and greater depths of the Posedonia shale make more viscous fracturing fluids and fewer but much longer horizontal wells inevitable. Provided such longer horizontal wells are used, production rates similar to those reached in U.S.A. shale gas wells could be achievable.