COURSE OVERVIEW:

Seismic petrophysics and geomechanics of unconventional shales represent a specialized integration of disciplines aimed at unlocking the vast potential of organic-rich mudstone reservoirs. Unlike conventional reservoirs, shales act as source, seal, and reservoir simultaneously, requiring a profound understanding of their anisotropic physical properties and mechanical behavior. This course focuses on translating seismic responses into meaningful petrophysical and geomechanical data, such as Total Organic Content (TOC), brittleness, and in-situ stress states, which are vital for successful hydraulic fracturing.

The scope of this course bridges the gap between borehole measurements and large-scale seismic volumes. Participants will explore the rock physics models specifically designed for shales, accounting for the presence of kerogen, complex clay mineralogy, and intrinsic anisotropy. By linking these properties to elastic parameters like Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s Ratio, geoscientists can predict "sweet spots" where the rock is both rich in hydrocarbons and conducive to effective stimulation through fracking.

Coverage includes the latest workflows for mapping geomechanical facies and stress orientations using seismic data. The course emphasizes the role of seismic anisotropy in understanding the mechanical heterogeneity of unconventional plays. Through detailed analysis of seismic-to-log calibration, participants will learn how to build predictive models that guide horizontal well steering and completion design, ultimately maximizing the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) in these challenging assets.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

• Identify the unique petrophysical characteristics of unconventional shale plays.
• Apply rock physics models to describe the elastic behavior of organic-rich shales.
• Quantify Total Organic Content (TOC) using seismic and petrophysical relationships.
• Calculate dynamic geomechanical properties from seismic inversion data.
• Determine the brittleness index to identify optimal intervals for hydraulic fracturing.
• Analyze the impact of kerogen and clay content on seismic wave propagation.
• Interpret seismic anisotropy as a proxy for shale fabric and stress.
• Map the orientation of the maximum and minimum horizontal stresses.
• Integrate core data with seismic attributes for geomechanical model validation.
• Predict pore pressure variations in low-permeability shale environments.
• Utilize Vp/Vs ratios to discriminate between lithofacies in unconventional plays.
• Design workflows for identifying "sweet spots" based on petro-elastic models.
• Assess the geomechanical risks associated with wellbore stability and fracking.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Petrophysicists, Geophysicists, Geomechanical Engineers, Drilling Engineers, and Unconventional Asset Teams.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.