About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Special Volumes

Abstract


Memoir 103: Critical Assessment of Shale Resource Plays, 2013
Pages 1-24

Chapter 1: Shale Previous HitGasNext Hit Evaluation of the Early Jurassic Posidonia Shale Formation and the Carboniferous Epen Formation in the Netherlands

Frank van Bergen, Mart Zijp, Susanne Nelskamp, Henk Kombrink

Abstract

Since the discovery of the Groningen Previous HitgasNext Hit field, the Netherlands has been a large producer and consumer of natural Previous HitgasNext Hit. Current forecasts show that production from conventional on- and offshore fields will decline noticeably in the next decades. The Netherlands has the ambition to sustain its prominent role in the northwestern European Previous HitgasNext Hit market and will have to be able to meet the future domestic demand. Import of natural Previous HitgasNext Hit, either through liquid natural Previous HitgasNext Hit import (North Africa, Middle East) or from the East (Nordstream), are therefore evaluated and planned. Following the developments in the United States, the question has arisen if there is shale Previous HitgasNext Hit potential in the Netherlands that could add to the domestic Previous HitgasNext Hit production. A first evaluation in 2009 confirmed this potential, although the uncertainties are huge. Others have, however, challenged this positive view on the potential resource of the Netherlands. The follow-up work that is presented provides more detailed information based on extensive data evaluations and interpretations of potential shale Previous HitgasNext Hit targets in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has a long and intense exploration history that led to a very high data coverage that is largely in the public domain. A first assessment of possible shale Previous HitgasNext Hit reservoirs in the Netherlands was made using this unique data set. The main target formations for shale Previous HitgasNext Hit are the Lower Jurassic Posidonia Shale Formation and the Carboniferous (Namurian or Serpukhovian to Lower Bashkirian) Epen Formation, especially its basal part with high organic content.

The Posidonia Shale Formation is known to be present in the onshore West Netherlands Basin from many well penetrations and its distinct seismic character. Previous HitGasNext Hit logs indicate the presence of Previous HitgasNext Hit. Fault-bounded tectonic blocks were identified on three-dimensional seismics with relatively undisturbed deposits. Calculations of Previous HitgasNext Hit initially in place were performed for these individual blocks, based on total organic carbon (TOC) and porosity. TOC values were calculated from logs and cross-checked on actual measurements. The deposit is probably brittle (and therefore susceptible for fracturing) throughout most of the area as indicated by log-derived Young’s Moduli. The evaluation showed favorable conditions for shale Previous HitgasNext Hit prospects, that is, TOC content of about 6%, porosity of 5-9.5%, and an average thickness of 30 m (98.42 ft). The evaluation of three example fault-bounded blocks indicated total Previous HitgasNext Hit volumes of 0.26-0.46 billion cubic meters per square kilometer (STP; 23-42 billion cubic feet of Previous HitgasNext Hit per square mile), which merits further investigation into the viability of this Previous HitgasNext Hit play. The evaluation of the Carboniferous Epen Formation is more complicated because it is generally deeper. The Geverik Member (~50-70 m (164.04-229.65 ft) thick) is the lowest unit of the formation and is considered a main target for shale Previous HitgasNext Hit exploration because of its high organic content (TOC ~7%, Type II). Recent mapping and newly released wells indicate that instead of a uniform basin, the deposition of the formation was controlled by the existing paleogeography that was probably formed by the presence of carbonate platforms. Exploration challenges of the Geverik Member include the scarce data due to limited well penetrations, its present-day depth, and its high maturity (>3.3 % Ro) for most of the Netherlands, as indicated by modeling and measurements. In conclusion, the presented study provides background information on the geological setting for potential shale Previous HitgasNext Hit developments in the Netherlands. The need for such information has become very relevant over the past two years because as of 2010 a total of four exploration licenses have been granted to different companies. This challenges policymakers to take a position on shale Previous HitgasNext Hit development in the Netherlands, where public concern has also risen about the environmental impact and safety of shale Previous HitgasTop operations.


Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24