TIGHT GAS RESERVOIR.

What is tight gas?

• Tight gas refers to natural gas trapped within reservoir rocks that have low
permeability, making it challenging for the gas to flow through the rock and reach the
wellbore.
• Permeability is a measure of how easily fluids, such as natural gas or oil, can move
through the pores of a rock formation. In tight gas reservoirs, the low permeability
restricts the flow of gas, requiring specialized techniques for extraction.
• The rocks hosting tight gas reservoirs are typically dense and compacted, such as
sandstone, limestone, or shale. The low permeability is often attributed to the fine-
grained nature of these rocks, which hinders the movement of gas through the pore
spaces.
• Due to this low permeability, traditional drilling and extraction methods used in more
permeable reservoirs are not as effective in tight gas formations.
How to extract tight gas?
• To extract gas from tight reservoirs, advanced drilling and stimulation techniques
are employed. Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as "fracking," is a key
technology used to enhance the permeability of the rock. In this process, high-
pressure fluid is injected into the reservoir, creating fractures in the rock and
allowing gas to flow more freely.
• Additionally, horizontal drilling is often used to access larger portions of the
reservoir from a single wellbore.
• The development of tight gas resources has become increasingly important as
conventional gas reservoirs have become depleted. While the extraction of tight
gas presents technical challenges and environmental considerations,
advancements in drilling technologies and hydraulic fracturing have significantly
improved the feasibility of extracting natural gas from these unconventional
reservoirs.
• What is Tight Gas Reservoir, and where
does it come from?
Tight gas;
Tight Gas Reservoir.
• A tight gas reservoir refers to a type of unconventional natural gas
reservoir characterized by low permeability, which hinders the flow of
gas through the rock pores.
• Unlike conventional gas reservoirs with high permeability, where gas
can easily migrate through the rock, tight gas reservoirs have rock
formations with extremely low permeability, typically below 0.1
millidarcies.
• This low permeability poses a considerable challenge to extracting gas
economically, requiring advanced drilling and stimulation techniques
for effective production.
 Formation of tight gas reservoir.
Tight gas formations are created through geological processes that involve the accumulation
of natural gas within reservoir rocks with low permeability. The formation of tight gas
reservoirs typically follows a series of steps:
1.Organic Matter Accumulation:
1. The process begins with the accumulation of organic matter, such as plant and marine life, in
sedimentary basins. Over time, these organic materials undergo burial and transformation into
hydrocarbons through processes like diagenesis and catagenesis.
2.Hydrocarbon Generation:
1. The heat and pressure within the Earth's crust lead to the thermal maturation of organic matter,
transforming it into hydrocarbons, including natural gas. This hydrocarbon generation occurs within
source rocks, which are rich in organic content.
3.Migration:
1. The generated natural gas then migrates from the source rocks, where it was formed, into adjacent
reservoir rocks. These reservoir rocks typically consist of porous sandstone, limestone, or shale.
Continue….
4. Accumulation in Low-Permeability Rocks:
In the case of tight gas, the natural gas accumulates in reservoir rocks characterized by low permeability.
Permeability refers to the ability of fluids to flow through the pore spaces in rocks. Tight formations
often include rocks with fine-grained particles, such as shale, which have low permeability, restricting
the movement of gas.
5. Tapping Mechanisms:
Tight gas reservoirs are often found in structural or stratigraphic traps. Structural traps involve
deformation of the Earth's crust, such as folds or faults, while stratigraphic traps involve variations in
rock types and the arrangement of sedimentary layers.
6. Overburden Pressure:
Over time, as more sediments accumulate on top of the reservoir rocks, the pressure increases,
compacting the rocks and further reducing their permeability. This process contributes to the tightness of
the reservoir.
7. Formation of Tight Gas Reservoirs:
The combination of low-permeability rocks, trapping mechanisms, and overburden pressure leads to the
formation of tight gas reservoirs. The gas becomes trapped within the pore spaces of the reservoir rocks,
and the low permeability inhibits its easy flow, requiring specialized extraction techniques.
 Tight Gas Reservoir Propeties.
• Have low permeability below 0.1 millidarcies. Tight gas reservoirs often have
permeabilities ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 millidarcies.
• Considering pore size and connectivity tight gas have small pore sizes, often in
the micrometer range, with limited connectivity. Pore throats may have diameters
on the order of nanometers.
• Porosity in tight gas reservoirs is generally low, ranging from 2% to 10%.
However, specific values can vary based on the lithology of the reservoir rocks.
• Tight gas reservoirs are often found at depths exceeding 5,000 feet, and
overburden pressure can range from thousands to tens of thousands of psi.
• Shale is a common component of tight gas reservoirs. Sandstone and limestone
may also be present, contributing to the overall mineral composition.
• Fracture permeability can be significantly enhanced through hydraulic
fracturing, creating artificial fractures that extend several hundred feet from the
wellbore.
Production of tight gas;
Tight gas production technique.
Producing natural gas from tight gas reservoirs involves a combination of drilling,
completion, and stimulation techniques, The steps involved are;
1.Well Drilling:
The process begins with drilling a wellbore into the tight gas reservoir. Horizontal drilling is often
employed to access a larger section of the reservoir from a single well, maximizing exposure to the
low-permeability formation.
2.Well Completion.
Once the wellbore is drilled, it undergoes a completion process. This involves installing
steel casing and cementing it into place to prevent the wellbore from collapsing.
Perforations or slots in the casing are placed in the target reservoir section to allow gas to
enter the well.
3.Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking):
•Hydraulic fracturing is a key technique for enhancing gas production from tight
reservoirs. It involves injecting a fluid mixture (typically water, sand, and additives) into
the wellbore at high pressure. This fractures the rock, creating pathways for gas to flow
more easily.
Continue..
1. The high-pressure fluid causes fractures in the rock, and the proppant (sand) holds the fractures
open, allowing gas to flow.
2. Fracturing fluid may include chemicals to improve fluid performance, reduce friction, and prevent
bacterial growth.
1.Horizontal Drilling:
1. Description: Horizontal drilling is often used in conjunction with hydraulic fracturing. It
allows for longer sections of the wellbore to be exposed to the reservoir, increasing contact
with the low-permeability rock and improving overall gas recovery.

2.Gas Production and Flowback:

1. Description: After hydraulic fracturing, the well is brought into production, and natural gas
begins to flow from the fractures into the wellbore. Initially, a significant portion of the fluids
injected during hydraulic fracturing, known as flowback fluids, is produced along with the
gas.
Uses of Tight Gas.
• Tight gas is a significant source of fuel for power plants. It is used to generate
electricity through gas turbines or combined-cycle power plants.
• Many industries use natural gas, including tight gas, as a fuel for various processes.
This includes manufacturing, chemical production, and other industrial applications.
• Natural gas, including tight gas, is commonly used for heating homes and businesses.
It is utilized in furnaces, water heaters, and other heating appliances.
• Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) derived from tight
gas can be used as alternative fuels for vehicles.
• Tight gas is used in combined heat and power systems where the heat generated
during electricity production is also utilized for heating purposes.
• Natural gas, including tight gas, serves as a feedstock for the production of various
chemicals, including ammonia, methanol, and other petrochemical products.
THE END.