LOW PERMEABILITY SANDSTONES IN AUSTRALIA CAN BE FRACTURE STIMULATED

Abstract

Given adequate incentives, markets and pricing, a very substantial source of hydrocarbons may be recoverable from low-grade sand reservoirs which previously were considered non-commercial. With escalating energy costs and modern reservoir stimulation technology many of the sedimentary basins in Australia, containing large volumes of gas locked in low permeability reservoirs, could conceivably be developed into commercial projects.

In recent years exploration of comparable reservoirs in Canada has proven highly successful to where these reserves now contribute a major portion of the country's total energy needs. A preliminary study has been conducted to identify similar low permeability sands in Australia and to attempt a comparison of reservoir and mineralogical properties. Examples of specific fracture treatments and associated response are presented. In view of similarities in matrix composition and pore distribution, evidence suggests that properly engineered fracturing treatments would be successful in Australia. From this, one can only speculate upon the vast potential of low quality reservoirs which were previously overlooked.