How to Maximize Wellsite Information for Assessing Tight Hydrocarbon Opportunities

For many years mud rich lithologies were largely ignored at the well site. Mud rich formations or shales, were simply the rock that had to be penetrated in order to reach the reservoir target. However mud rich rocks when examined properly at the wellsite are very important when investigating tight hydrocarbon domains. Mud rich formations can be characterized onsite to obtain quickly a first evaluation of the potential sweet spots. In further studies, these valuable first data accessible in the “mudlog”, must be systematically considered and integrated to the working dataset. The rate of penetration (ROP), Rotary torque, onsite analysis (methyl blue tests, calcimetry, fluorescence, isotopic analysis…), cuttings description (mineralogy, lithology, size, shape and morphology) and gas show bring enough information to make a first evaluation of the mud rich formation properties (rock strength, fracture presence, flow unit, TOC presence, maturity…) and hydrocarbon potential. The EAGE WS04 workshop will set out to look at the key characteristics of mud rich lithologies that can be identified at the well site and how some of these parameters can be determined. These parameters are integrated in a way that possible hydrocarbon potential can be identified so that follow up work can be initiated.