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.Ìý 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.Ìý 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:Ìý 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.ÌýProfessor Dusseault works with governments and industry as an advisor and professional instructor in petroleum geomechanics.Ìý 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.Ìý 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.Ìý