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Schlumberger and Alberta Research Council Collaborate on Next Generation Unconventional Gas Research


WEBWIRE

Program Targets Gas Production from Immature Shales Research

HOUSTON, January, 2008 - Schlumberger and the Alberta Research Council Inc. (ARC) have launched a research initiative in unconventional gas resource recovery and technology development. The initial research program will focus on improving gas production from immature shale reservoirs by applying advanced rock characterization and non-damaging fluids fracturing technology.

Alberta is Canada’s powerhouse of natural gas production, but very little of that gas comes from unconventional reserves. As the opportunities in conventional gas reservoirs decrease, the oil and gas industry will need to turn more to unconventional gas to meet market demands. Immature shale reservoirs pose some technical challenges, which is why Schlumberger, through its TerraTek Geomechanics Laboratory Center of Excellence, will work with ARC to find solutions to these challenges.

“The future for Alberta’s gas production lies in unconventional gas resources. Estimates of shale gas in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin vary from 86 to 1,000 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). ARC’s role in working with government and industry to develop, adapt and deploy technologies is strategic to ensuring these resources can be produced in an economical and sustainable manner,” said Ian Potter, vice-president energy at ARC. “Schlumberger’s field service presence in Alberta and desire for innovation will help ARC develop these technologies, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of Alberta’s gas industry.”

“Our expansion into the Alberta unconventional gas sector is strategic as we seek to develop new services to tap unconventional gas. This research collaboration will grow Alberta’s unconventional gas play and is a natural fit for Schlumberger,” said Derek Normore, president of Schlumberger Canada Limited. “Additionally Schlumberger will provide field and laboratory operations in Canada for core analysis related to unconventional gas recovery from shale and coal bed plays. This provides our clients with extended services related to the production optimization of unconventional gas.”



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