The Ohio Geological Society

Thursday, February 16th

Lunch at 11:30, talk at 12:30 pm
Holiday Inn Columbus-Worthington
7007 N. High St., Worthington, OH 43085

Geological aspects on productivity variation along a Marcellus lateral – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

By Dr. Tim Carr, University of West Virginia

The Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Laboratory (MSEEL) involves a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional team undertaking integrated geoscience, engineering and environmental research in cooperation with the operator, key technology partners and the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the US Department of Energy.  MSEEL has generated an extremely large and diverse (multiple terabyte) dataset that provides significant insight into Marcellus geology and fracture stimulation operations.

 During drilling, detailed geomechanical and image logs of the lateral and geochemical analysis of the whole core and sidewall cores were obtained.  This data was coupled with microseismic and slow-slip seismic monitoring, and distributed temperature (DTS) and acoustic (DAS) fiber-optic monitoring during completion.  Understanding discrete fracture networks coupled  with production logging and continued DTS monitoring shows the influence and interaction of both the present stress regime and the numerous preexisting healed fractures in the Marcellus Shale.

 The integration and analysis of the comprehensive cluster-by-cluster data contributed to an improved understanding of the effect of stage spacing and cluster density on recovery efficiency in unconventional reservoirs. MSEEL results provide an unprecedented picture of subsurface rock properties, stimulated reservoir volumes, faults and fracture systems.  Overall MSEEL is working to develop and validate new knowledge and technology and identify best practices for field implementation that can optimize hydraulic fracture stimulation and minimize environmental impacts of unconventional resource development.

Timothy R. Carr came to West Virginia University in 2007 as the first Marshal Miller Energy Professor in the Department of Geology and Geography. Dr. Carr is also a visiting professor at the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan and consultant to the private sector and the US State Department.  He is a past President of the Council Energy Research and Education Leaders (CEREL) and the Eastern Section of the American association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). Current research projects are in the areas of unconventional resources, subsurface petroleum geology and geophysics, energy systems, and carbon capture and storage. Prior to coming to West Virginia, Carr worked as chief of the Energy Research Section and as senior scientist for the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas. He was also co-director of the Energy Research Center and adjunct professor in the University of Kansas, Department of Geology. His experience also includes 13 years with Atlantic Richfield (ARCO), where he worked in a number of research, operations and management positions. At ARCO, Carr was involved in both exploration and development projects in locations including Alaska, the North Sea, East Greenland, California and Kansas. He was a founder of a company focused on carbon storage and associated enhanced oil recovery.  Carr has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s in geology from Texas Tech University and a doctorate in geology from the University of Wisconsin.

Lunch is not included. The typical lunch charge is $13 per meal.

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