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Intertek performs gas composition and isotope measurements to analyze coalbed methane, shale gas and other unconventional gas reservoir sources.. Since gas produced from coal bed methane or shale is ordinarily composed of several gas species in addition to methane, correct delineation of gas composition is necessary for proper economic evaluation of the resource being produced.
Isotopic composition of the produced gas can give an idea of the gas’ origin, reservoir continuity and compartmentalization, migration and biogenic fraction. Intertek offers adsorption isotherm analysis which measures the total amount of gas that coal or shale can absorb to evaluate the saturation level of the reservoir. Isotherms are performed at reservoir temperature and at increments up to 5000 psi.
- Unconventional Gas Characterization Test Methods:
Gas production from coalbeds and gas bearing shales is a growing energy resource. In the USA, commercial coalbed and shale gas production occurs in approximately 10 U.S. basins including the
San Juan, Black Warrior, Appalachian, and Michigan. Internationally, Europe, Australia, China, and Canada have
programs aimed at unconventional gas recovery. Westport Technology Center, has developed characterization test methods geared towards assessing this resource.
A fundamental requirement of exploiting unconventional gas reservoirs is the determination of accurate gas in place. The primary variables of this calculation are acquired through field desorption measurements. Intertek wellsite desorption services follow documented methods of analysis including the use of thermally regulated desorption canisters for assessing gas content of whole core, sidewall core or cuttings. Studies show that gas desorption is critically temperature dependent, and therefore all tests and measurements throughout the core analysis program are performed at reservoir temperature while ambient pressure is carefully monitored.
Unconventional natural gas includes a range of sources. These include coalbed methane and gas-containing shales. Coalbed methane is natural gas produced from coalbeds in the same way that methane is produced from other strata. Shale gas is produced from reservoirs composed of shale. Gas shales are often source rocks and the reservoir source for natural gas. The methane can be adsorbed onto insoluble organic matter ( kerogen), trapped in pore spaces of sediments interbedded with the shale, or confined in fractures in the shale.
Contact Intertek for more information on how to arrange proper testing of unconventional gas reservoir production. |
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