Tight Oil and Unconventional Gas
Hydrocarbon resources in tight and shale reservoirs throughout the world are significant. However, recovery of oil and gas has generally been very low, typically lest than 10 percent. Our research focuses on increasing production rates and recovery from these types of reservoirs in ways that are economic and at the same time respect society and the environment. Our research goals are accomplished by integrating the areas of geoscience; formation evaluation by petrophysics and well testing; drilling, completion and stimulation; reservoir engineering and simulation; and economics and externalities. Peer-reviewed publications have highlighted some of our past research accomplishments in the areas of tight oil and unconventional gas reservoirs.

Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
These reservoirs are generally characterized by low porosity and matrix permeability. The presence of natural fractures can make these reservoirs economic. Natural fractures are created by stresses that exceed the rupture strength of the rock. Thus, it is important to have good knowledge of the magnitude and direction of in-situ stresses; strike, dip and spacing of natural fractures; matrix and fracture porosity; matrix and water saturation; and matrix and fracture permeability. These properties are important to forecast properly the performance of naturally fractured reservoirs. Our research on naturally fractured reservoirs focuses on increasing hydrocarbon rates and recoveries in a manner that is economic, and safe to the environment and society. This is accomplished by integrating the areas of geoscience; formation evaluation by petrophysics and well testing; drilling, completion and stimulation; reservoir engineering and simulation; and economics and externalities. Peer-reviewed publications have highlighted some of our past research accomplishments in the area of naturally fractured reservoirs.