Roadmap to Monetization of Unconventional Resources

摘要

What has been regarded as unconventional by many has been conventional for few that have developed viable and in many cases vary profitable projects that succeeded in extending the envelope of recoverable hydrocarbons. These particular operations have emerged as groundbreaking practices in our industry and have succeeded in spanning the envelope of recoverable hydrocarbons.Although the technical benefits of these applications can be outlined, the integration with economic and market parameters is necessary in order to provide a successful implementation. The purpose of this paper is to outline the elements of success as it has been seen through a review of unconventional operations in a variety of reservoirs and development methodologies. Economic parameters and strategic planning are viewed in conjunction to technological advances. The basic premise is that it is not possible to develop a universal technological solution, but rather distinguish early on which development method is best fit for a particular reservoir. The envelope of recoverable hydrocarbons is bounded by physical constraints like reservoir properties, unfavorable hydrocarbon characteristics, or in many cases hydrocarbons still captured in the formations. The emerged methods frequently combine applications of enhanced recovery, intensive stimulation, or advanced drilling. The deployment of technology yields best results if a basic development strategy is implemented, that incorporates operational, marketing and environmental parameters. Insights in the role of reservoir simulation, surveillance and reserve evaluation guidelines are presented as instruments in making the most out of the best tools, as they exist today and as they will inevitably evolve. With evolving methods of extraction, the oil industry is shifting focus from exploration into exploitation with significant implications on development strategy and resource evaluation. Inevitably the terms unconventional resources and a non conventional approach present a new direction, or "roadmap" to monetization.