1. Shale gas research in the Netherlands:
Role of Fracture Network Complexity
Auke Barnhoorn
Department of Geoscience and Engineering
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
Delft University of Technology
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2. Shalegas: a ‘hot topic’
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3. Posidonia shale in the Netherlands
Posidonia shale
Toarcian age
~ 180 Ma
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Wong, 2007
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4. Shalegas in the Netherlands:
how much & where: very little known
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5. Shaliegas in the Netherlands:
how much & where: very little known
• Rough estimates: 200 – 500 bcm gas.
• Uncertain how much we can produce
out of the shales
• Very little Posidonia core materiaal
available: 2-3 old wells
• More research in shale gas potential
vital
• Exploration wells will give some
necessary info on the potential
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6. My main research question
What is the effect of the rock fabric on
fracture initiation and propagation?
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7. Lithology determines fracture
pattern
Example from Kings Canyon,
Australia
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8. Lithology determines fracture
pattern
finely layered
silt-sandstone
massive sandstone
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9. Lithology determines fracture
pattern
finely layered
massive sandstone
silt-sandstone
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10. Lithology determines fracture
pattern
finely layered
massive sandstone
spacing ~ 150 m
silt-sandstone
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11. Lithology determines fracture
pattern
finely layered
massive sandstone
spacing ~ 150 m
silt-sandstone
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spacing ~ 10 future
m
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12. also on a small scale: variations in fracture patterns present
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13. Colin Sayers, Geophysical Prospecting , 2013
Shales
• Highly anisotropic
• Often strong compositional layering
Geomechanical parameters from
acoustic measurement of shales
x3
0
O
x2
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x1

14. Main research question
Can we quantify the fracture pattern in shales?
- including the role of fabric anisotropy
- predict fracturing behaviour for Dutch shale plays
Later: Can we also optimize the fracture pattern?
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Jurassic limestone and shales (UK)
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Fracture network map

15. Whitby, UK
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16. Cleveland Basin Stratigraphy
Predom.
mudstone
Predom. Mudst.,
Limest.
Predom. Ironst.,
Limest.
Cox et al., 1999
Predom. Sandst.,
siltstone
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Hobbs et al., 2012
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17. Posidonia shale Whitby (UK)
May 2013 Fieldtrip: UU, TNO & TUD
Auke Barnhoorn, 2013
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18. Posidonia shale Whitby (UK)
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Auke Barnhoorn,

19. Posidonia shale Whitby (UK)
Auke Barnhoorn, 2013
Auke Barnhoorn, 2013
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20. Posidonia shale Whitby (UK)
Image of Dr. M. Houben (UU)
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21. Main research question
Can we quantify the fracture pattern in
shales?
including the role of fabric anisotropy
My research:
Experimental Fracturing and 3D rock
characterization
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22. Experimental Fracturing @ TU Delft
microstructure
s history
k history
statistics
• Conventional deformation device
• Controlled deformation conditions (stress, strain
rate, elevated temperatures, confining pressure
and fluid pressures)
• Measurement of volume changes of sample and
fluid (permeability, porosity)
e history
De Paola et al., 2009
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23. Fracture network growth - stress driven fracturing
1.
2.
3.
1. random fracture generation throughout sample
2. continuing fracture generation, fracture growth & linkup of
individual fractures
3. complete linkup of fractures & formation of shear fracture
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Barnhoorn et al., 2010 Geology 38, 779-782

24. Difference in fracture network growth
dry
random fracture generation
high Pf
high fluid pressure gradient
fracture growth at high Pf side
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Barnhoorn et al., 2010 Geology 38, 779-782

25. Difference in fracture network growth statistics
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Barnhoorn et al., 2010 Geology 38, 779-782

26. Difference in fracture network growth statistics
30º
conjugate fracture sets prominent in stress-driven fracturing
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27. Universities NL
Shale Gas research
Giovanni Bertotti (TUD)
David Smeulders (TUE)
Martyn Drury (UU)
Jan-Diederik van Wees (UU)
Auke Barnhoorn (TUD)
Collaboration
From basin scale to pore scale
Stress Modelling
Experiments
Rock Characterization
Fracture modelling
Fractures in unconventional rock types
Prediction of fracture
patterns in shales at a
multitude of scales
Topsector Energie
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28. From basin scale to pore scale
Shale characterization (UU)
Tectonic modelling (UU)
N
Fractured reservoir modelling (TUD)
Rock Physics & Frac. Experiments (TUD)
photo: N. Hardebol,
study: L. Laerhoven (MSc) (TNO)
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Fracture propagation modelling (TUE)

29. Other research at TU Delft
• Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
Dr. Rick Donselaar en Dr. Gert-Jan Weltje (Dept. G&E)
Sweet-spot determination for unconventional
gas opportunities in NL
Which sedimentological characteristics point to
best places for shale gas production?
Topsector Energie
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30. Thank you!
Johannes Vermeer
Gezicht op Delft (1660-1661)
Contact:
Email: auke.barnhoorn@tudelft.nl
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Internet: www.citg.tudelft.nl/abarnhoorn