Evaluation of Devonian shale potential in West Virginia
In West Virginia, all significant areas of current Devonian shale gas production are situated where the radioactive shale units are thicker than 200 feet. Most areas of current gas production exhibit a close correlation with the trend of the Rome trough structure, and nearly all lie within the optimum stress-ratio zone. In addition, most of the current gas-producing areas are located within the zone of optimum shale thermal maturity, and optimum shale thermal maturity nearly coincides with the optimum shale stress-ratio value (0.43) in western and southwestern West Virginia. Areas adjacent to existing gas fields, within northeastern Cabell County, northern Lincoln County, and central Wayne County, are excellent prospects for future production. Additional deeper drilling in existing gas fields within the main trend may tap potential new reservoirs in the Rhinestreet and Marcellus Shales. The area east of the Warfield anticline in central Boone, Logan, and eastern Mingo Counties also may be favorable for gas exploitation of the radioactive Huron Shale. Fractures associated with the flank of the anticline and possible reactivation of basement faults in this area should be sufficient to provide the means for production. Further drilling should also be conducted along extensions of the border fault zone of the Rome trough in the western portion of the state. However, the subsurface trend of the trough must be carefully delineated to successfully develop gas production from potential fractured reservoir systems.
- Research Organization:
- Tetra Tech, Inc., Columbus, OH (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC21-79MC10389
- OSTI ID:
- 6344665
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/10389-T1; DOE/METC-120
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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POLICY AND ECONOMY
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NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
DEVONIAN PERIOD
EXPLORATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
SHALE GAS
STRATIGRAPHY
WEST VIRGINIA
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CENTRAL REGION
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