The document discusses U.S. shale gas resources and the challenges of developing them. It notes that shale gas reserves are conservatively estimated at 500-1000 trillion cubic feet and that hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling first made shale gas production economically viable. However, each shale play has unique characteristics that require tailored solutions. The document summarizes characteristics of major shale plays like the Barnett, Woodford, Haynesville, Bakken and Fayetteville and notes that best practices must evolve locally to address specific challenges in each play. Unconventional resources like shale gas require unconventional solutions to optimize production and costs.
Middle stage production period in messla fieldShakier Khalifa
Compositional gradient is important factor to determined, many signs could lead you. The paper experience some factors in Messla and hence give recommendation.
Middle stage production period in messla fieldShakier Khalifa
Compositional gradient is important factor to determined, many signs could lead you. The paper experience some factors in Messla and hence give recommendation.
Underground natural gas storage facilities are a vital and complementary component of the North
American natural gas transmission and distribution system. While mainline gas transmission lines
provide the crucial link between producing area and marketplace, underground gas storage
facilities help maintain the North American natural gas transmission and distribution system’s
reliability and its capability to transport gas supplies efficiently and without interruption. Natural
gas storage facilities are essential to balance the dramatic divergence between the seasonal and
daily variability of gas consumption and the inflexibility of gas production in North America.
Many details go into the planning of a mine. The information gathered must come from several
sources. First is the geological, structural, and mineralogical information, combined with the
resource/reserve data. This information leads to the preliminary selection of a potential mining method
and sizing of the mine production. From this the development planning is done, the equipment
selection is made, and the mine workforce projections are completed, all leading to the economic
analysis associated with mine planning.
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
The papers for publication in The International Journal of Engineering& Science are selected through rigorous peer reviews to ensure originality, timeliness, relevance, and readability.
Municipal Adaptations to Create Resilient Beach CommunitiesSMRPC
Getting municipal decision-makers the
information they need, and a forum to
actually make decisions about adapting to
sea level rise and becoming more resilient
to storms & hazards.
An update on Magnum Hunter's shale drilling programs in both the Marcellus/Utica region, and in the Bakken Shale region. Total Magnum leased acreage is now 350,000 acres. The company continues to push aggressively in both shale plays, but recent activity is particularly focused on the Utica Shale.
Underground natural gas storage facilities are a vital and complementary component of the North
American natural gas transmission and distribution system. While mainline gas transmission lines
provide the crucial link between producing area and marketplace, underground gas storage
facilities help maintain the North American natural gas transmission and distribution system’s
reliability and its capability to transport gas supplies efficiently and without interruption. Natural
gas storage facilities are essential to balance the dramatic divergence between the seasonal and
daily variability of gas consumption and the inflexibility of gas production in North America.
Many details go into the planning of a mine. The information gathered must come from several
sources. First is the geological, structural, and mineralogical information, combined with the
resource/reserve data. This information leads to the preliminary selection of a potential mining method
and sizing of the mine production. From this the development planning is done, the equipment
selection is made, and the mine workforce projections are completed, all leading to the economic
analysis associated with mine planning.
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
The papers for publication in The International Journal of Engineering& Science are selected through rigorous peer reviews to ensure originality, timeliness, relevance, and readability.
Municipal Adaptations to Create Resilient Beach CommunitiesSMRPC
Getting municipal decision-makers the
information they need, and a forum to
actually make decisions about adapting to
sea level rise and becoming more resilient
to storms & hazards.
An update on Magnum Hunter's shale drilling programs in both the Marcellus/Utica region, and in the Bakken Shale region. Total Magnum leased acreage is now 350,000 acres. The company continues to push aggressively in both shale plays, but recent activity is particularly focused on the Utica Shale.
Canaan Resource Partners' History and Strategy 2016Freddie Barela
With strategic focus, Canaan Resource Partners has chosen to assume the role of capital provider for development drilling efforts in domestic, onshore shale plays. Typically a non-operator, CRP is technically proficient in evaluating the investment suitability of projects within America’s top shale plays, closely following the development phases of each. We have a compelling level of capital to be committed for deployment in an immediate time frame for projects deemed suitable available at both modest and significant investment levels. We are well equipped to review development drilling projects with exceptional speed using proprietary “big data” analysis and creative deal structures.
Challenger August Investor Presentation 290811princeslea79
Challenger Energy’s strategy is to identify, acquire and appraise material upstream oil and gas
exploration opportunities
Mercury Stetson Prospect in North Texas, US
Two proven shale formations – Barnett and Woodford
Massive potential gas in place with OGIP estimated at 360 BCF/sq mile
Large prospect area – potentially up to 55,000 acres (86 sq miles)
Prospect is close to existing infrastructure
Contiguous land position of ~ 26,000 acres with a short term target of 35,000 acres.
Triple Crown Prospect in Texas, US
Significant acreage – 45,000 acres with options over a further 6,500 acres.
Large gas charged zones, Ellenburger (dolomite) and an unconventional Hybrid play which is geologically analogous to
Montney Hybrid Play in Western Canada with an estimated OGIP of 9 TCF.
Testing to commence shortly on both the Ellenburger and Hyprid Play
Karoo Basin in South Africa
Shale gas in Karoo Basin now a major focus for international E&P companies (eg Shell, Cheasapeake, Statoil and Sasol)
Challenger Energy’s permit of approx. 800,000 acres centred on only well within basin to flow significant gas to surface to
date, awaiting approval.
Independent US Energy Information Agency report suggests Risked Recoverable Resource of more than 7 TCF in
application area.
Attractive assets have exciting potential to grow significant shareholder value
Texas proppant and frac sand trends. Does more sand really equal better wells? Energent Group takes a look at the frac sand data in Permian, Eagle Ford, and Granite Wash to identify key operators and trends.
Constellation Energy Partners (NYSE MKT: CEP) is a limited liability company focused on the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas properties as well as related midstream assets.
Our proved reserves are located in the Cherokee Basin in Oklahoma and Kansas, the Woodford Shale in the Arkoma Basin in Oklahoma, the Central Kansas Uplift in Kansas, and in Texas and Louisiana.
The Bakken Boom: An Introduction to North Dakota’s Shale OilPorts-To-Plains Blog
Like unconventional shale gas, unconventional shale oil is now becoming more and more conventional. The technology used to first extract natural gas from shale rock in the Marcellus and other shale gas plays has been fine-tuned and modified to extract oil from shale formations across the country, such as the Monterey play in California, the Eagle Ford in Texas, and most notably the Bakken in North Dakota.
Managing carbon geological storage and natural resources in sedimentary basinsGlobal CCS Institute
To highlight the research and achievements of Australian researchers, the Global CCS Institute, together with Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development (ANLEC R&D), will hold a series of webinars throughout 2017. Each webinar will highlight a specific ANLEC R&D research project and the relevant report found on the Institute’s website.
This is the eighth webinar of the series and will present on basin resource management and carbon storage. With the ongoing deployment of CCS facilities globally, the pore space - the voids in the rock deep in sedimentary basins – are now a commercial resource. This is a relatively new concept with only a few industries utilising that pore space to date.
This webinar presented a framework for the management of basin resources including carbon storage. Prospective sites for geological storage of carbon dioxide target largely sedimentary basins since these provide the most suitable geological settings for safe, long-term storage of greenhouse gases. Sedimentary basins can host different natural resources that may occur in isolated pockets, across widely dispersed regions, in multiple locations, within a single layer of strata or at various depths.
In Australia, the primary basin resources are groundwater, oil and gas, unconventional gas, coal and geothermal energy. Understanding the nature of how these resources are distributed in the subsurface is fundamental to managing basin resource development and carbon dioxide storage. Natural resources can overlap laterally or with depth and have been developed successfully for decades. Geological storage of carbon dioxide is another basin resource that must be considered in developing a basin-scale resource management system to ensure that multiple uses of the subsurface can sustainably and pragmatically co-exist.
This webinar was presented by Karsten Michael, Research Team Leader, CSIRO Energy.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is used
to increase the flow of oil or natural
gas from a well. It has been used safely
around the world since 1949 in over two
and a half million wells.
Santos has used fracking to produce
oil and gas in South Australia and
Queensland for nearly 50 years. It has
also been used in other industries to
increase the flow of water wells or
to clean up hazardous waste sites4.
In over 60 years of operations, there
has not been one proven case of water
contamination as a result of fracking.
Studies in the United States, United
Kingdom and here in Australia have
concluded that fracking can be
undertaken safely.
Flow-Assurance Challenges in Gas-Storage Schemes in Depleted Reservoirs
This article, written by Senior Technology Editor Dennis Denney, contains highlights of paper SPE 146239, "Flow-Assurance Challenges in Gas-Storage Schemes in Depleted Reservoirs," by Alireza Kazemi, SPE, and Bahman Tohidi, SPE, Hydrafact Ltd., and Emile Bakala Nyounary, Heriot-Watt University, prepared for the 2011 SPE Offshore Europe Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Aberdeen, 6–8 September.
37. If the material below the sandstone of problem 26 is a shale with.pdfnitinarora01
37. If the material below the sandstone of problem 26 is a shale with E=31.2 x 109 N/m,
Poisson\'s Ratio 0.3, and a density of 2650 kg/m3, what is the reflection coefficient of the
interface between the shale and sandstone?? a. 0.078 b. -0.225 c. -0.311 d. 0.179 e. None of the
above 38. What is the most common well type used to produce natural gas from the Barnett
Shale at DFW Airport? a. Vertical wells b. Disposal wells c. Individual horizontal wells d.
Multiple horizontal wells from a single drilling pad e. None of the above 39. Why is fracking
necessary to produce natural gas from the Barnett Shale in the DFW area? a. b. c. d. e. Fracturing
breaks the Barnett Shale seal providing access to sandstone reservoir Fracturing reduces the
permeability of the Barnett Shale Fracturing increases the permeability of the Barnett Shale
Fracturing permits the natural gas to be absorbed in the fracking fluids None of the above 40.
What is the source rock in the East Texas Oil Field? a. b. c. d. e. Barnett Shale Morrison
Formation Eagle Ford Shale Woodbine Sandstone None of the above 41. Which of the following
describes processes that formed Guadalupe Peak in West Texas? a. b. c. d. Formed by deposition
of sediments rich in calcite Tectonic activity has been minimal in the area during the past 20 my
The limestone was precipitated from sea water by marine organisms None of the above
Solution
40.EAGLE FORD SHALE:
The Eagle Ford is a geological formation directly beneath the Austin Chalk. It is considered to be
the \"source rock\", or the original source of hydrocarbons that are contained in the Austin Chalk
above it. The formation was penetrated many times as operators targeted the Edwards Limestone
formation along the Edwards Reef Trend.
The formation is best known for producing variable amounts of dry gas, wet gas, NGLs,
condensate and oil. The most active area lies above the Edwards Reef Trend where the formation
yields a gas-condensate production stream. Unlike many other shale plays, it does not exhibit
natural fracturing within the formation.
41.d
The Permian period of geologic time occurred from 251 to 299 million years ago. The earth had
already seen life diversify from simple, primitive forms such as algae and fungi to amphibians,
fishes, and insects. The earth\'s surface had also been evolving and shifting. Thin plates of crust
moved constantly over the softer material below, steadily changing the position of the continents.
Through much of the early and middle Permian all of the continents were joined together,
forming the supercontinent of Pangea. Much of modern-day New Mexico and Texas occupied
the western edge of this enormous landmass near the equator. A vast ocean surrounded Pangea,
but a narrow inlet, the Hovey Channel, connected the ocean with the Permian Basin, an inland
sea which covered parts of what is now northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.
The Permian Basin had three arms: the Marfa, Delaware, and Midland Basins. The .
Remote sensing and monitoring are changing the mining industry for the better. These are providing innovative solutions to long-standing challenges. Those related to exploration, extraction, and overall environmental management by mining technology companies Odisha. These technologies make use of satellite imaging, aerial photography and sensors to collect data that might be inaccessible or from hazardous locations. With the use of this technology, mining operations are becoming increasingly efficient. Let us gain more insight into the key aspects associated with remote sensing and monitoring when it comes to mining.
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Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey throu...dylandmeas
Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey through Full Sail University. Below, you’ll find a collection of my work showcasing my skills and expertise in digital marketing, event planning, and media production.
RMD24 | Debunking the non-endemic revenue myth Marvin Vacquier Droop | First ...BBPMedia1
Marvin neemt je in deze presentatie mee in de voordelen van non-endemic advertising op retail media netwerken. Hij brengt ook de uitdagingen in beeld die de markt op dit moment heeft op het gebied van retail media voor niet-leveranciers.
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Memorandum Of Association Constitution of Company.pptseri bangash
www.seribangash.com
A Memorandum of Association (MOA) is a legal document that outlines the fundamental principles and objectives upon which a company operates. It serves as the company's charter or constitution and defines the scope of its activities. Here's a detailed note on the MOA:
Contents of Memorandum of Association:
Name Clause: This clause states the name of the company, which should end with words like "Limited" or "Ltd." for a public limited company and "Private Limited" or "Pvt. Ltd." for a private limited company.
https://seribangash.com/article-of-association-is-legal-doc-of-company/
Registered Office Clause: It specifies the location where the company's registered office is situated. This office is where all official communications and notices are sent.
Objective Clause: This clause delineates the main objectives for which the company is formed. It's important to define these objectives clearly, as the company cannot undertake activities beyond those mentioned in this clause.
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Liability Clause: It outlines the extent of liability of the company's members. In the case of companies limited by shares, the liability of members is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares. For companies limited by guarantee, members' liability is limited to the amount they undertake to contribute if the company is wound up.
https://seribangash.com/promotors-is-person-conceived-formation-company/
Capital Clause: This clause specifies the authorized capital of the company, i.e., the maximum amount of share capital the company is authorized to issue. It also mentions the division of this capital into shares and their respective nominal value.
Association Clause: It simply states that the subscribers wish to form a company and agree to become members of it, in accordance with the terms of the MOA.
Importance of Memorandum of Association:
Legal Requirement: The MOA is a legal requirement for the formation of a company. It must be filed with the Registrar of Companies during the incorporation process.
Constitutional Document: It serves as the company's constitutional document, defining its scope, powers, and limitations.
Protection of Members: It protects the interests of the company's members by clearly defining the objectives and limiting their liability.
External Communication: It provides clarity to external parties, such as investors, creditors, and regulatory authorities, regarding the company's objectives and powers.
https://seribangash.com/difference-public-and-private-company-law/
Binding Authority: The company and its members are bound by the provisions of the MOA. Any action taken beyond its scope may be considered ultra vires (beyond the powers) of the company and therefore void.
Amendment of MOA:
While the MOA lays down the company's fundamental principles, it is not entirely immutable. It can be amended, but only under specific circumstances and in compliance with legal procedures. Amendments typically require shareholder
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Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdfKaiNexus
Enterprise excellence and inclusive excellence are closely linked, and real-world challenges have shown that both are essential to the success of any organization. To achieve enterprise excellence, organizations must focus on improving their operations and processes while creating an inclusive environment that engages everyone. In this interactive session, the facilitator will highlight commonly established business practices and how they limit our ability to engage everyone every day. More importantly, though, participants will likely gain increased awareness of what we can do differently to maximize enterprise excellence through deliberate inclusion.
What is Enterprise Excellence?
Enterprise Excellence is a holistic approach that's aimed at achieving world-class performance across all aspects of the organization.
What might I learn?
A way to engage all in creating Inclusive Excellence. Lessons from the US military and their parallels to the story of Harry Potter. How belt systems and CI teams can destroy inclusive practices. How leadership language invites people to the party. There are three things leaders can do to engage everyone every day: maximizing psychological safety to create environments where folks learn, contribute, and challenge the status quo.
Who might benefit? Anyone and everyone leading folks from the shop floor to top floor.
Dr. William Harvey is a seasoned Operations Leader with extensive experience in chemical processing, manufacturing, and operations management. At Michelman, he currently oversees multiple sites, leading teams in strategic planning and coaching/practicing continuous improvement. William is set to start his eighth year of teaching at the University of Cincinnati where he teaches marketing, finance, and management. William holds various certifications in change management, quality, leadership, operational excellence, team building, and DiSC, among others.
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Explore the world of the Taurus zodiac sign. Learn about their stability, determination, and appreciation for beauty. Discover how Taureans' grounded nature and hardworking mindset define their unique personality.
As a business owner in Delaware, staying on top of your tax obligations is paramount, especially with the annual deadline for Delaware Franchise Tax looming on March 1. One such obligation is the annual Delaware Franchise Tax, which serves as a crucial requirement for maintaining your company’s legal standing within the state. While the prospect of handling tax matters may seem daunting, rest assured that the process can be straightforward with the right guidance. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of filing your Delaware Franchise Tax and provide insights to help you navigate the process effectively.
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It is crucial for the taxpayers to understand about the TDS Return Filing Due Date, so that they can fulfill your TDS obligations efficiently. Taxpayers can avoid penalties by sticking to the deadlines and by accurate filing of TDS. Timely filing of TDS will make sure about the availability of tax credits. You can also seek the professional guidance of experts like Legal Pillers for timely filing of the TDS Return.
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Falcon stands out as a top-tier P2P Invoice Discounting platform in India, bridging esteemed blue-chip companies and eager investors. Our goal is to transform the investment landscape in India by establishing a comprehensive destination for borrowers and investors with diverse profiles and needs, all while minimizing risk. What sets Falcon apart is the elimination of intermediaries such as commercial banks and depository institutions, allowing investors to enjoy higher yields.
1. U.S. Shale Gas
WHITE PAPER
An Unconventional Resource. Unconventional Challenges.
2.
3. 1
Executive Summary
Current increasing demand and lagging supply mean high prices for both oil and gas, making
exploitation of North American unconventional gas plays suddenly far more lucrative for
producers. One of the most important such plays to emerge has been U.S. shale gas, with
current recoverable reserves conservatively estimated at 500 to 1,000 trillion cubic feet.
Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are the key enabling technologies that first made
recovery of shale gas economically viable with their introduction in the Barnett Shale of Texas
during the 1990s. However, a comparison of the currently hottest shale plays makes it clear
that, after two decades of development and several iterations of the learning curve, best
practices are application-dependent and must evolve locally.
That said, a review of current trends in these hot plays indicates that, in many cases, the
impact of high-drilling density required to develop continuous gas accumulations can be
minimized through early and better identification of the accumulation type and size, well-
designed access and transportation networks, and cooperative planning and construction
efforts, when possible.
U.S. Shale Gas Geographic Potential
Across the U.S., from the West Coast to the Northeast, some 19 geographic basins are
recognized sources of shale gas, where an estimated 35,000 wells were drilled in 2006.
Presently, significant commercial gas shale production occurs in the Barnett Shale in the
Fort Worth Basin, Lewis Shale in the San Juan Basin, Antrim Shale in the Michigan Basin,
Marcellus Shale and others in the Appalachian Basin, and New Albany Shale in the
Illinois Basin.
But it wasn’t always so.
Lacking an efficient means of production, U.S. shale gas reserves were largely ignored so long
as market conditions made reserves more costly to produce than conventional sources. In fact,
one of the first recognized major shale gas plays, the Barnett Shale of Texas, was under
investigation as early as 1981, but not until 1995 was the hydraulic fracturing technology
available that successfully brought in the gas at commercial rates. Then, five of the initial six
wells each began producing more than two million cubic feet of gas per day and, soon after,
introduction of horizontal drilling began to extend the basin where today two percent of all
the gas consumed daily in the U.S. is produced.
U.S. Shale Gas
An Unconventional Resource. Unconventional Challenges.
4. 2
Evolution of a Shale Play
Typically, exploitation of a shale play proceeds through three distinct phases, from the discovery stage,
through drilling and reservoir evaluation, to production.
Discovery and planning is the stage during which all of the initial reservoir knowledge is gathered. Extensive
analysis including coring establishes the economic viability of the play during this phase, and helps determine
the techniques to be used to optimize the development. The effectiveness of planning accomplished in the
discovery stage depends largely upon knowledge of the reservoir.
Drilling and reservoir evaluation is the operational phase. During this stage, the focus is on applying the
planned techniques most efficiently to maximize reservoir contact and lower cost per unit. It is in this stage of
development that the issues concerning infrastructure and practical efficiencies are addressed. And this is the
present state of several currently hot shale plays.
Production phase focuses on optimizing reservoir drainage, which in U.S. shale gas plays typically requires
stimulation, usually by hydraulic fracturing. The efficiency of these completion operations can have significant
impact during the production phase; with proper fracturing and placement of proppants, some shale wells
have been producing for decades.
The Problem with Shale
Despite its geographic abundance and enormous production potential, gas shale presents a number of
challenges – starting with the lack of an agreed-upon definition of what, exactly, comprises shale.
Shale makes up more than half the earth’s sedimentary rock but includes a wide variety of vastly differing
formations. Within the industry, the generally homogenous, fine-grained rock can be defined in terms of its
geology, geochemistry, geo-mechanics and production mechanism – all of which differ from a conventional
reservoir, and can differ from shale to shale, and even within the same shale. Little wonder there is no
industry-standard definition.
Nevertheless, all shale is characterized by low permeability, and in all gas-producing shales, organic carbon in
the shale is the source. Many have substantial gas stored in the free state, with additional gas storage capacity
in intergranular porosity and/or fractures. Other gas shales grade into tight sands, and many tight sands have
gas stored in the adsorbed state.
Since these various conditions determine the production mechanism of the various shales, knowledge of local
reservoir characteristics is of vital importance in keeping development costs under control and optimizing
production over the life of the reservoir.
Every Shale is Different
Due to the unique nature of shale, every basin, play, well and pay zone may require a unique treatment. Briefly
comparing the characteristics of some of the current hottest plays can help illustrate the impact of these
differences throughout development.
5. 3
The Barnett Shale: Setting the Standard
With current assets still exceeding an estimated 10 trillion cubic feet, the spectacular success in the Barnett in 1995
established the economic potential of U.S. shale gas production and set the standard for subsequent development in
other basins.
Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are the key enabling technologies that first made recovery of Barnett shale gas
economically viable in the mid-1990s. Today, completion and drilling techniques are well established there, and drilling
efficiencies continue to improve even as laterals extend to increasing lengths. A typical lateral is 2,500 feet to 3,000 feet. Use
of water-based muds is standard, as is cementing with acid soluble cement. A typical Barnett completion is Tubing Conveyed
Perforating toe then fracturing in stages using pump-down plugs and guns.
In addition to drilling longer laterals, current trends in the Barnett are toward bigger frac jobs and more stages. Infills are
being drilled and testing of spacing is down to 10 acres, while re-fracturing of the first horizontal wells from 2003 and 2004
has commenced; both infills and refracs are expected to improve Estimated Ultimate Recovery from 11 percent to 18
percent. In addition, pad drilling, especially in urban areas, and recycling of water are growing trends in the Barnett,
as elsewhere.
The Woodford Shale – Oklahoma
Woodford shale stratigraphy and organic content are well understood, but due to their complexity compared to the Barnett
shale, the formations are more difficult to drill and fracture. Because shales have the most elements and chemostratigraphic
information to work with, they are more easily analyzed than most sandstone and carbonate reservoirs and can be
Chemosteered with unprecedented resolution using LaserStrat® services.
As in the Barnett, horizontal wells are drilled, although oil-based mud is used in the Woodford and the formation is harder
to drill. In addition to containing chert and pyrite, the Woodford play is more faulted, making it easy to drill out of the
interval; sometimes crossing several faults in a single wellbore is required. Halliburton geosteering techniques in
combination with logging while drilling tools can minimize this risk.
Like the Barnett shale, higher silica rocks are predominant in the best zones for fracturing in the Woodford play, although
the Woodford has deeper and higher frac gradients.
ZoneSeal® cement has significantly improved the success rate of frac jobs here, although acid and/or sand slugs are
sometimes required to gain entry.
Due to heavy faulting, 3-D seismic is extremely important, as the Woodford trends toward longer laterals exceeding 3,000
feet with bigger frac jobs and more stages. Testing infill pilots has begun, as well as some simultaneous-frac jobs. Pad
drilling also will increase as the Woodford continues expanding to the Ardmore Basin and to West Central Oklahoma in
Canadian County.
Marcellus
AntrimBakken
New Albany
Fayetteville
Woodford / Caney
Gammon
Green River
Cane Creek
Devonian
Conasauga
Floyd
Haynesville /
BossierBarnett
Niobrara
Lewis / Mancos
Monterey
6. 4
The Haynesville Shale – EastTexas /
Northwestern Louisiana
Still in the early discovery stage, the Haynesville shale
environment already has proved especially challenging.
Compared to the Barnett, the Haynesville is extremely
laminated, and the reservoir changes over intervals as
small as four inches to one foot. In addition, at depths of
10,500 to 13,500 feet, this play is deeper than typical
shales creating hostile conditions. Average well depths are
11,800 feet with bottomhole temperatures averaging
300°F and wellhead treating pressures that exceed 10,000
psi. As a result, wells in the Haynesville require almost
twice the amount of hydraulic horsepower, higher
treating pressures and more advanced fluid chemistry
than the Barnett and Woodford shales.
The high-temperature range, from 260°F to 380°F, creates
additional problems in Haynesville’s horizontal wells,
requiring rugged, high-temperature/high-pressure
logging evaluation, Toolpusher™ and LWD tools. For
these conditions, the availability of SOLAR™ tools from
Sperry Drilling Services has proved a plus, particularly
as logistics issues begin to emerge.
Already, there are issues with availability of casing and
proppant supplies as producers increase demand under
pressure to complete wells before their leases expire. The
majority of Haynesville leases are held for just three years,
and with acreage leasing for up to $25,000 per acre,
producers are concerned about their ability to drill
in time.
Durable high-horsepower pumping equipment will be
required to effectively fracture stimulate the Haynesville.
Halliburton is positioned to provide the maximum
horsepower necessary in these types of formations.
Additionally, Halliburton’s pump reliability is well
established in the industry. The formation depth and
high-fracture gradient demand long pump times at
pressures above 12,000 psi. In these deep wells, with
fracture gradients of one psi/ft, and low Young’s
modulus, there is also concern about the ability to
sustain production with adequate fracture conductivity.
Currently, Haynesville wells are being drilled with oil-
based muds, and as the trend continues toward increased
activity, environmental issues will come to the fore. The
estimated 115-plus rigs that will be drilling this play will
require large volumes of water for fracturing, making
water conservation and disposal a primary issue.
The Bakken Shale – Williston Basin
The Bakken differs from other shale plays in that it is an
oil reservoir, a dolomite layered between two shales, with
depths ranging from around 8,000 to 10,000 feet. Oil, gas
and natural gas liquids are produced.
Each succeeding member of the Bakken formation –
lower shale, middle sandstone and upper shale member –
is geographically larger than the one below. Both the
upper and lower shales, which are the petroleum source
rocks, present fairly consistent lithology, while the middle
sandstone member varies in thickness, lithology and
petrophysical properties.
Currently, Bakken oil wells are completed either
openhole or with uncemented liners, and the use of
isolation tools such as Halliburton Delta Stim® sleeves
and Swellpacker® systems is extensive. The Bakken is not
as naturally fractured as the Barnett and, therefore,
requires more traditional frac geometries with both
longitudinal and transverse fractures. Diversion methods
are used throughout hydraulic frac treatments, which
primarily use gelled water frac fluids, although there is a
growing trend toward the use of Intermediate Strength
Proppant. Compared to the Barnett, rate treatments in
the Bakken typically are lower – from 30 to 50 bpm –
with openhole completions requiring higher rates.
Recently, the Bakken has seen an increase in activity, and
the trend is, again, toward longer laterals – up to 10,000
feet for single laterals in some cases. In addition, some
operators are drilling below the lower Bakken shale and
fracturing upwards.
7. 5
The Fayetteville Shale – Arkoma Basin
With productive wells penetrating the Fayetteville shale
at depths between a few hundred and 7,000 feet, this play
is somewhat shallower than the Barnett. Mediocre
production from early vertical wells stalled development
in the vertically fractured Fayetteville, and only with
recent introduction of horizontal drilling and hydraulic
fracturing has drilling activity increased. As a result, at
present there is less oilfield infrastructure in place in the
Fayetteville than in other hot plays.
In the most active Central Fayetteville Shale, horizontal
wells are drilled using oil-based mud in most cases,
and water-based mud in others. Most wells now are
cemented, but the current trend is toward using tools
such as Halliburton’s Delta Stim® sleeves and Swellpacker®
systems technology in openhole completions. In
addition, 3-D seismic will gain importance as longer
laterals of 3,000-plus feet are drilled and more stages are
required for fracing. With growing numbers of wells and
a need for more infrastructure, pad drilling is another
trend emerging in the Fayetteville.
The Marcellus Shale – Appalachian Basin
Currently the hottest play in the 54,000-square mile
Appalachian Basin, the Marcellus formation is not a new
discovery. Prior to 2000, this low-density, vertically
fractured shale formation was explored with a number
of successful vertical gas wells, many of which have
produced – slowly but surely – for decades. However, not
until the 2000 introduction of techniques pioneered in
the Barnett shale, did Marcellus wells begin to yield
significantly improved production rates.
The Marcellus shale ranges in depth from 4,000 to 8,500
feet, with gas currently produced from hydraulically
fractured horizontal wellbores. Horizontal lateral lengths
exceed 2,000 feet, and, typically, completions involve
multistage fracturing with more than three stages
per well.
To date, the heavy leasing activity has occurred primarily
in one small geographic area where the thick shale can be
drilled at minimum depths. As a result, the Marcellus
play is still in the exploration stage, with trends toward
inevitably deeper wells, longer laterals and more stages.
Summary
As these brief comparisons suggest, at every step of development in every shale gas play, best
practices are application-dependent and must evolve to meet specific, local challenges. As
techniques are refined and local best practices emerge, it remains to be seen if the rising star of
the Barnett play will be eclipsed by these other up-and-coming shale gas plays.