This project was conducted under the auspices of NYSERDA contract 4881-ERTER-ER-99 with its primary purpose to obtain and utilize "ground-truth" data collected from two Upper Devonian Shale wells. With this information, a better understanding of the productive potential in western New York has been obtained. Both wells (W. Stein Unit #2 and S. Preston #8) were drilled in August 2001 by Great Lakes Energy Partners, LLC and are located in Athens field, Crawford County, Pa. adjacent to the Tyrone Mount Union lineament. The wells were completed open hole without any stimulation. Numerous technologies were used to acquire this information including running geophysical logs, gas sample analysis, and examining ten rotary sidewall cores from the Stein Unit #2. From this data, various models were built to characterize geologic, reservoir, and fluid flow characteristics, which were used to estimate gas in place, bulk permeability, and deliverability. Though the existent natural fracture systems provide conduits from the reservoir to the wellbore, the shale in this area contains only a limited quantity of gas-in-place and is exceptionally lean in organic content. Permeability studies indicate this is a dual porosity system producing primarily via the fractures, and to a lesser extent from the matrix. Very little adsorption of gas is present and the reservoir is relatively low in organic content. An analysis conducted by the University of Michigan reveals that the gas is primarily thermogenic in origin with possible traces of biogenic origin. The results of this paper are significant in that it provides a better understanding of the production mechanisms of the reservoir within a localized area. Based on the results of this study, the following conclusions are provided:The Upper Devonian Shale in this immediate area is extremely lean in organic content as indicated by its low Total Organic Carbon (TOC) = 0.36%. As a point of reference, many productive shales have TOC values ranging from 1–9%.Shales in this immediate area are a limited source of hydrocarbons (~27 Mscf per acre-foot).The gas is thermogenic with trace amounts of biogenic origin.Very little adsorption of gas is present.Both test wells are located in an area of natural fracturing adjacent to the Tyrone Mount Union lineament, which most likely provides a conduit for natural gas production.Relative to other producing shales, the reservoir is comparatively poor near the test wells.Production data analysis indicates a dual porosity system producing primarily through fractures and to a lesser extent, via the matrix.Estimated ultimate recoveries range from 1.1 to 3.0 MMscf, and drainage areas are 1.325 and 2.0 acres for the Preston #8 and Stein Unit #2 respectively, assuming no stimulation.
This paper presents results of a production data comparison and an economic analysis of two stimulation methods (nitrogen foam with proppant versus nitrogen only) pumped in more than 200 wells owned and operated by Equitable Production Company. The wells, located in Pike County, Kentucky, were completed in the Berea and Devonian shale formations, and each formation was stimulated separately. About half the wells were stimulated with nitrogen foam containing proppant; the other treatments consisted of nitrogen only. These wells were drilled in the 1990s and sufficient production data were available to make definitive comparisons. The results indicated that the wells treated with foam containing proppant significantly outperformed the wells treated with nitrogen only. Economic results also illustrated that it is more profitable to pump nitrogen foam with proppant even though the cost of the treatment is more than double. In furtherance of this study, the operator is currently pumping foam with proppant in wells within the study area and is identifying additional acreage for use of this stimulation treatment. Existing wells are also being evaluated for restimulation potential. The results of this paper are noteworthy for the Appalachian Basin because many operators pump multiple stages of nitrogen-only treatments. Introduction Major objectives of this study were to ascertain relative technical and economic benefits of completing wells with nitrogen foam containing proppant versus nitrogen without proppant in Devonian Shale and Berea wells within the project area. Additional objectives included evaluating reservoir quality, pay thickness permeability, and discovering the influence of these factors throughout the study area. The impact of these factors on stimulation effectiveness, production volumes, and estimated ultimate recoveries (EURs) was also determined. Fig. 1 shows the location of the study area in eastern Kentucky.
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