Overview
Background
Ray is currently Professor of Well Engineering & Production Technology in the School of Chemical Engineering and Energi Simulation Co-chair in the Centre for Natural Gas. There he is researching projects related to low permeability, unconventional reservoirs (i.e., tight gas, coal seam gas, shale gas reservoir). In addition, he is an instructor and course coordinator in several courses in the ME Petroleum Engineering program at the University of Queensland.
Outside of teaching and research, Prof Johnson is the Principal at Unconventional Reservoir Solutions, a provider of reservoir engineering, stimulation consulting, and training services to the petroleum and mining industry, focusing on unconventional resources such as gas or oil from coal, shale, or naturally fractured reservoirs.
From 2014 to 2020 Ray was an Adjunct Associate Professor at the ASP, University of Adelaide.
Availability
- Professor Ray Johnson is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Unconventional Reservoir Appraisal and Development Strategies
Ray's research focuses on integrating elements of reservoir engineering, geomechanics and hydraulic fracturing to improving appraisal and development strategies for unconventional resources such as gas from coal as well as oil and gas from shales and naturally fractured reservoirs.
Research impacts
A lot of people state that they are researching or investigating hydraulic fracturing, which in most cases is limited to modelling some aspect of rock fracture mechanics or fracture propogation in some geological or rock mechanical framework. Whist this may progress the science of hydraulic fracture propagation, hydraulic fracturing design optimisation in a petroleum well stimulation context is not that concise, exact or simple!
Well stimulation in the petroleum industry context is much larger and represents an overall process to create an economic outcome from a low-permeability reservoir by implementing the proper selection of fluids, stage/job placement, proppant selection, onsite job execution, post-frac clean-up and long term production management along with the hydraulic fracturing modelling, a small portion of the process. It is an overall design, execute, and then evaluate process that cannot be optimised by a discrete element model.
My research benefits societies' need to identify and develop unconventional resources as a part of it's overall energy mix by effectively implementing economical hydraulic fracturing solutions in unconventional reservoirs. Advances of my research integrating geomechanics, hydraulic fracturing, reservoir engineering, and production technology will aid us in maintaining low cost energy thereby benefitting overall economic growth in Australia by economically unlocking more of Australia's unconventional gas resources (i.e., tight gas sandstone, shale gas, and coal seam gas reservoirs).
Works
Search Professor Ray Johnson’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Conference Publication
Improving fracture initiation and potential impact on fracture coverage by implementing optimal well planning and drilling methods for typical stress conditions in the Cooper Basin, central Australia
Johnson, Raymond L., Abul Khair, Hani Farouq , Jeffrey, Rob , Meyer, Jeremy , Stark, Carly and Tauchnitz, James (2015). Improving fracture initiation and potential impact on fracture coverage by implementing optimal well planning and drilling methods for typical stress conditions in the Cooper Basin, central Australia. APPEA Conference and Exhibition 2015, Melbourne, Australia, 17-20 May 2015.
2015
Journal Article
Improving the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing treatment in CBM reservoirs by stimulating the surrounding natural fracture system
Keshavarz, Alireza, Badalyan, Alexander and Johnson, Raymond (2015). Improving the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing treatment in CBM reservoirs by stimulating the surrounding natural fracture system. The APPEA Journal
2015
Conference Publication
Effect of suspension fluid chemistry on fracture system stimulation using micro-sized proppant placement
Keshavarz, A., Badalyan, A., Carageorgos, T., Johnson, R. L. and Bedrikovetsky, P.G. (2015). Effect of suspension fluid chemistry on fracture system stimulation using micro-sized proppant placement. SPE Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 9-11 November 2015. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/176953-MS
2015
Journal Article
Formation evaluation case study: Glyde unconventional Middle Proterozoic play in the McArthur Basin, northern Australia
Croon, Marcel, Bluett, Joshua, Titus, Luke and Johnson Jr, Raymond (2015). Formation evaluation case study: Glyde unconventional Middle Proterozoic play in the McArthur Basin, northern Australia. The APPEA Journal, 55 (2), 429-429. doi: 10.1071/AJ14064
2015
Conference Publication
Delaware Basin Bone Springs. A study of the evolving completion practices to create an economically successful play
Lehman, Lyle V., Andress, Randy, Mullen, Mike and Johnson, Ray (2015). Delaware Basin Bone Springs. A study of the evolving completion practices to create an economically successful play. SPE Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, Australia, 9-11 November 2015. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/176828-ms
2015
Journal Article
Improving the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing treatment in CBM reservoirs by stimulating the surrounding natural fracture system
Keshavarz, Alireza, Badalyan, Alexander, Johnson, Raymond and Bedrikovetski, Pavel (2015). Improving the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing treatment in CBM reservoirs by stimulating the surrounding natural fracture system. The APPEA Journal, 55 (1), 351-360. doi: 10.1071/aj14028
2014
Journal Article
Laboratory-based mathematical modelling of graded proppant injection in CBM reservoirs
Keshavarz, Alireza, Yang, Yulong, Badalyan, Alexander, Johnson, Ray and Bedrikovetsky, Pavel (2014). Laboratory-based mathematical modelling of graded proppant injection in CBM reservoirs. International Journal of Coal Geology, 136, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2014.10.005
2014
Other Outputs
Modifying subterranean fluid flow patterns using barriers to improve pre-drainage in coal mining
Johnson Jr., Raymond L. (2014). Modifying subterranean fluid flow patterns using barriers to improve pre-drainage in coal mining. PhD Thesis, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.10
2014
Conference Publication
Observations and recommendations from a hydraulic fracturing case in the pre-Cambrian Lawn Hill Shale, Isa Superbasin, Australia
Johnson, Raymond Leslie and Titus, Luke (2014). Observations and recommendations from a hydraulic fracturing case in the pre-Cambrian Lawn Hill Shale, Isa Superbasin, Australia. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 14-16 October 2014. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/171448-MS
2014
Conference Publication
Stimulation of unconventional naturally fractured reservoirs by graded proppant injection: experimental study and mathematical model
Keshavarz, Alireza, Badalyan, Alexander, Carageorgos, Themis, Johnson, Ray and Bedrikovetsky, Pavel (2014). Stimulation of unconventional naturally fractured reservoirs by graded proppant injection: experimental study and mathematical model. SPE/EAGE European Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria, 25-27 February 2014. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/167757-MS
2014
Conference Publication
Enhancement of CBM well fracturing through stimulation of cleat permeability by ultra-fine particle injection
Keshavarz, A., Badalyan, A., Carageorgos, T., Bedrikovetsky, P. and Johnson, R. (2014). Enhancement of CBM well fracturing through stimulation of cleat permeability by ultra-fine particle injection. Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) 2014, Perth, WA, Australia, 6-9 April 2014.
2014
Conference Publication
Key factors differentiate the success rate of coalbed methane pilots outside of North America - some Australian experiences
Johnson, Raymond L. and Mazumder, Saikat (2014). Key factors differentiate the success rate of coalbed methane pilots outside of North America - some Australian experiences. International Petroleum Technology Conference, Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia, 10-12 December 2014. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2523/IPTC-18108-MS
2014
Conference Publication
Combining drilling, geology, petrophysical and well testing data to evaluate an unconventional play in N. Australia
Yakimov, M. N., Titus, L., Johnson, R. L. and Hassan, S. (2014). Combining drilling, geology, petrophysical and well testing data to evaluate an unconventional play in N. Australia. European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE.
2013
Conference Publication
Exploring and appraising the oldest gas accumulations in Australia
Johnson, R., Titus, L., Warner, D. and Bluett, J. (2013). Exploring and appraising the oldest gas accumulations in Australia. The 53rd Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) Conference 2013, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26-29 May, 2013. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
2013
Conference Publication
Fracturing fluid testing for design purposes and regulatory oversight in a shale gas project
Crane, B., Magill, D., Squires, S. T. and Johnson Jr., R. L. (2013). Fracturing fluid testing for design purposes and regulatory oversight in a shale gas project. SPE Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition-Asia Pacific, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November 2013. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/167107-MS
2012
Conference Publication
An emerging shale gas play in the Northern Territory
Johnson, R. L., Dawney, R. and Warner, D. (2012). An emerging shale gas play in the Northern Territory. Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) 2012, Adelaide, Australia, 13-16 May 2012. Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA).
2011
Journal Article
Evaluating hydraulic-fracture effectiveness in a coal-seam-gas reservoir from surface tiltmeter and microseismic monitoring
Johnson Jr., Raymond L., Scott, Michael P., Jeffrey, R. G., Chen, Zuorong, Bennett, Les, Vandenborn, Craig and Tcherkashnev, Sergei (2011). Evaluating hydraulic-fracture effectiveness in a coal-seam-gas reservoir from surface tiltmeter and microseismic monitoring. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 63 (3), 59-62. doi: 10.2118/0311-0059-jpt
2011
Conference Publication
Reservoir characterisation of Surat Basin coal seams using drill stem tests
Kabir, Akim, McCalmont, Steve, Street, Tom and Johnson Jr., Ray (2011). Reservoir characterisation of Surat Basin coal seams using drill stem tests. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Jakarta, Indonesia, 20-22 September 2011. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/147828-MS
2010
Conference Publication
Evaluating hydraulic fracture effectiveness in a coal seam gas reservoir from surface tiltmeter and microseismic monitoring
Johnson Jr., Raymond L., Scott, Michael P., Jeffrey, R. G., Chen, Zuorong, Bennett, Les, Vandenborn, Craig and Tcherkashnev, Sergei (2010). Evaluating hydraulic fracture effectiveness in a coal seam gas reservoir from surface tiltmeter and microseismic monitoring. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2010, APOGCE 2010, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18-20 October, 2010.
2010
Conference Publication
Utilising current technologies to understand permeability, stress azimuths and magnitudes and their impact on hydraulic fracturing success
Johnson, Raymond, Glassborow, Brent, Meyer, Jeremy, Scott, Michael, Datey, Ashish and Pallikathekathil, Zachariah (2010). Utilising current technologies to understand permeability, stress azimuths and magnitudes and their impact on hydraulic fracturing success. APPEA 2010, Brisbane, Australia, 17-19 May 2010. Clayton, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/aj09100
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ray Johnson is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Using Machine Learning to Improve Well Integrity, Drilling Efficiencies and Safety Compliance in Queensland CSG Drilling Data
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving Gas Recovery in Low-Permeability Coals by Deployment of Multi-stage Indirect Hydraulic Fractures
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Dr Christopher Leonardi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Regulating well integrity in Australian unconventional oil and gas operations: a comparison between Queensland, Wyoming and Alberta
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Optimisation of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage in an ultra-shallow heavy oil reservoir
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Suzanne Hurter
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Doctor Philosophy
Incorporating Machine Learning and Data Analysis to Predict Long Term Production from Coal Seam Gas Fields Based on Early Field Data
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Rock mass preconditioning methodology for block caving based on Petroleum state of the art methods
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Professor Peter Knights
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Master Philosophy
Rate of Production Prediction for Coal Seam Gas Drilling
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the transport of proppant and micro-proppant in fracture networks via direct numerical simulation of particle-laden flows
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati, Dr Christopher Leonardi
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Ray Johnson directly for media enquiries about:
- Coal seam gas
- Hydraulic Fracturing
- Shale gas
- Unconventional resources
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