Hydrocarbon potential of Upper Devonian black shale, eastern Kentucky

Conference · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5996839

Johnston, I M; Frankie, W T; Moody, J R; Kemper, J R; Elkin, R R

The gas-producing Upper Devonian black shales of eastern Kentucky represent cycles of organic units alternating with less-organic units that were dominated by an influx of clastics from a northeastern source. This pattern of sedimentation is typical throughout the southern Appalachian basin in areas basinal to, yet still influenced by, the Catskill delta to the northwest. These black shales, which thin westward onto the Cincinnati arch, dip eastward into the Appalachian basin. To evaluate the future gas potential of Devonian shale, a data base has been compiled, consisting of specific geologic and engineering information from 5920 Devonian shale wells in Letcher, Knott, Floyd, Martin, and Pike Counties, Kentucky. The first successful gas completion in eastern Kentucky was drilled in Martin County in 1901. Comparison of initial open-flow potential (IP) and long-term production data for these wells demonstrates that higher IP values generally indicate wells of higher production potential. Areas of higher IP are aligned linearly, and these lineaments are interpreted to be related to fracture systems within the Devonian shale. These fractures may be basement influenced. Temperature log analyses indicate that the greatest number of natural gas shows occur in the lower Huron Member of the Ohio Shale. Using both the temperature log to indicate gas shows and the gamma-ray log to determine the producing unit is a workable method for selecting the interval for treatment.

• Research Organization: Kentucky Geological Survey, Lexington
• OSTI ID: 5996839
• Report Number(s): CONF-8710197-
• Journal Information: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States), Vol. 71:9; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Eastern Section meeting, Columbus, OH, USA, 7 Oct 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
BLACK SHALES
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
KENTUCKY
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
SOURCE ROCKS
DEVONIAN PERIOD
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHATTANOOGA FORMATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION IV
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALES
PALEOZOIC ERA
RESOURCES
USA
030200* - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration