Keynote Address: Unconventional Geosteering for Unconventional Reservoirs

Geosteering in conventional reservoirs has typically relied on discrete, petrophysical measurements being made in real time that are compared to an offset or type log. An interpretation of the geology is made and is constantly updated, and the well steered according to a predefined set of requirements, essentially defining the sweet spot (Pitcher et al. 2010). While these techniques often have value in unconventional reservoirs, geologists regularly find these tools wanting. In unconventional resources, the best rock for production may not be defined by petrophysical parameters but by rock properties, which preclude the use of direct petrophysical comparative techniques (Market et al. 2010).