Geomechanics in unconventional resource development

To economically produce from very low permeability shale formations, hydraulic fracturing stimulation is typically used to improve their conductivity. This process deforms and breaks the rock, hence requires the geomechanics data and calculation. The development of unconventional reservoirs requires large geomechanical data, and geomechanics has involved in all calculations of the unconventional reservoir projects. Geomechanics has numerous contributions to the development of unconventional reservoirs from reservoir characterization and well construction to hydraulic fracturing and reservoir modeling as well as environmental aspect. This paper reviews and highlights some important aspects of geomechanics on the successful development of unconventional reservoirs as well as outlines the recent development in unconventional reservoir geomechanics. The main objective is to emphasize the importance of geomechanical data and geomechanics and how they are being used in in all aspects of unconventional reservoir projects.