Abstract

As the oil industry emerges deeper into unconventional drilling and production of oil and gas reservoirs, more advance techniques are critical for success and provide a better model for unconventional resources with respects to their different fluid properties, transport mediums, production drivers, nano-porosity. These factors are key in providing a competent, reliable method for identifying sweet spot targets. Paladin Geological Services has developed an unprecedented method utilizing onsite organic geochemical analytics (Onsite Isotope Analysis and Tight Oil Analysis) to determine the key factors (light hydrocarbons, relative permeability and pressure and isotopic profiling) which supply operators with a zone-by-zone characterization of sweet spot targets during drilling of unconventional reservoirs. Paladin applies onsite isotope analysis (δ13C1,2,3) on both mud gases (free-state gases) and headspace cuttings gases (dynamic/multi-stage testing protocol) with corresponding concentration measurements (C1-C6+) to determine relative permeability and pressure and high production targets during drilling in real-time. In addition, Paladin also performs proprietary Tight Oil Analysis (TOA) to identify light hydrocarbon species (<C16) via pyrolysis during drilling to determine potential high production zones. Combining these two analytical programs, our geochemistry team is able to identify vertical target zones, lateral delineation of high production zones and assess and evaluate multi -stacked pay zones. Paladin performs both analyses on various wells in the Permian basin, analyzing over 3,000 ft. of vertical section and lateral sections per well, supplying both data and interpretation within hours after TD by use of real-time analyses and interpretation acquisition.