Technically recoverable Devonian shale gas in Kentucky
This report evaluates the natural gas potential of the Devonian Age shales of Kentucky. For this, the study: (1) compiles the latest geologic and reservoir data to establish the gas in-place; (2) analyzes and models the dominant gas production mechanisms; and (3) examines alternative well stimulation and production strategies for most efficiently recovering the in-place gas. The major findings of the study include the following: (1) The technically recoverable gas from Devonian shale (Lower and Upper Huron, Rhinestreet, and Cleveland intervals) in Kentucky is estimated to range from 9 to 23 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). (2) The gas in-place for the Devonian shales in eastern Kentucky is 82 Tcf. About one half of this amount is found in the Big Sandy gas field and its immediate extensions. The remainder is located in the less naturally fractured, but organically rich area to the west of the Big Sandy. (3) The highly fractured shales in the Big Sandy area in southeast Kentucky and the more shallow shales of eastern Kentucky respond well to small-scale stimulation. New, larger-scale stimulation technology will be required for the less fractured, anisotropic Devonian shales in the rest of the state. 44 refs., 49 figs., 24 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Lewin and Associates, Inc., Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC21-82MC19239
- OSTI ID:
- 5502797
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/19239-1834; ON: DE85008608
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
030200* -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
BLACK SHALES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHATTANOOGA FORMATION
COMMINUTION
DATA
DEVONIAN PERIOD
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION IV
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
FRACTURING
FUELS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGY
INFORMATION
KENTUCKY
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
OIL SHALES
PALEOZOIC ERA
PERMEABILITY
PRODUCTION
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
STIMULATION
STRATIGRAPHY
USA
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS