Potential of infill drilling to increase Devonian shale gas reserves in the Appalachian Basin

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7025459· OSTI ID:7025459

Layne, A. W.

This report presents results of two studies to evaluate the potential of infill drilling as a production strategy in the Devonian shales. This study (Volume 2) uses data evolved during the Eastern Gas Shales research program to compile gas-in-place estimates and to analyze key production mechanisms. Each of the three states was partitioned into areas based on key geological parameters and tectonophysics that established the natural stress and fracture regimes. Within these partitioned areas, a simulation study of infill drilling was conducted to determine the impact of reduced well spacing on 40-year cumulative gas production. In this approach, one, three, and five infill wells were randomly located in a field of five existing wells that had been producing for 20 years. After 20 years of well production, the well recovery for each simulated infill well was evaluated. 5 figs., 5 tabs.

• Research Organization: USDOE Morgantown Energy Technology Center, WV (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/FE
• OSTI ID: 7025459
• Report Number(s): DOE/METC-90/4095-Vol.2; ON: DE90000448
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030300* -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040200 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
APPALACHIAN BASIN
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
BLACK SHALES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHATTANOOGA FORMATION
DRILLING
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION III
FEDERAL REGION IV
FEDERAL REGION V
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
KENTUCKY
MATERIALS
NATURAL GAS
NORTH AMERICA
OHIO
OIL SHALES
RECOVERY
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SIMULATION
USA
WEST VIRGINIA