The Science and Engineering of Gas Shales

This IAP seminar series is jointly organized by CEE and the MIT Energy Initiative. All are welcome. Enrollment is not required.

In less than five years, gas shale has revolutionized the energy economy of the United States. Production from shale already constitutes more than 20 percent of the U.S. natural gas supply, and the rest of the world will soon be exploiting this resource at a similar scale. Four one-hour lectures will introduce the geology, analytical chemistry, and mechanical properties of this increasingly important rock type.

Origin and Properties of Source Rocks

Robert Kleinberg
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 / 1-2 p.m., Room 1-390

The origin of shale formations will be described. Source rock organic matter is clearly differentiated based on sedimentary origin. Following deposition, the organic matter matures in accord with its burial history, and this determines the nature of the resource. It will be seen that the distribution of shale resources on a continental scale can be explained by a few simple principles.

Analytical Chemistry of Source Rocks

Andrew Pomerantz
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 / 1-2 p.m., Room 1-390

The main organic component of gas shales is insoluble material referred to as kerogen, and the molecular composition of kerogen controls processes such as storage, transport, and fracturing. However, kerogen is not amenable to traditional chemical analyses, and current understanding of kerogen is limited. Here we describe novel methods for analyzing kerogen, recent results, and potential future insights.

Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Source Rocks for Stimulation Purposes

Romain Prioul
Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 / 1-2 p.m., Room 1-390

The characterization of the mechanical properties of source rocks will be addressed from well logging as well as from core testing, focusing on describing tools and processes specific to those rocks. It will be shown how determination of in situ conditions is used to decide where to place the horizontal well and what hydraulic fracturing stimulation scenarios to expect.

Hydraulic Fracture Modeling and Design

Brice Lecampion
Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 /1-2 p.m., Room 1-390

Modeling of hydraulic fracture propagation is required for the design of a successful stimulation treatment. After an overview of a stimulation job, the components of hydraulic fracturing modeling will be briefly presented. The different regimes of hydraulic fracture propagation will be discussed in light of typical field values. Current methods for the monitoring of hydraulic fracture growth will also be reviewed.

Series contact: Franz Ulm, 617.253.3544