Strength Prediction and Partial Saturation in Shales

 

The first part of this talk looks at laboratory derived strength data from fully saturated preserved shales and derives empirical correlations between these strength measurements and more easily (or typically) measured physical and petrophysical properties. Good correlations and poor correlations to often used parameters will be discussed. The talk will then go on to explore the impact of partial saturation in shales and the effects on static and dynamic mechanical properties. The results have implications for clay-bearing gas shales but also highlight the critical role of preservation of in situ water content in shaly rocks