Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by roadbuilder on May 11, 2016 at 2:09am

I wonder if that would work down here in the Rorgersville Shale, in eastern KY., where it is real thick?

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Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on May 11, 2016 at 3:15am

Seems to me the technique in principle would work anywhere but it's application would depend on the variables; including the economics involved.

Like how much could / would be harvested and marketed vs. how much it would cost to construct the multiple laterals vs. the E & P outfit's inclinations (harvest to sell / harvest to store for future marketing, etc.).

All variables once again.

Seems to me it would always hinge on the variables involved.

Doesn't it always seem that way to you / everyone else too ?

Just the way I see it.

Good luck neighbor.

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Permalink Reply by Bluflame on May 11, 2016 at 3:59am

J-O,

I think there are multiple layers of variables. First priority would be technical such as thickness of strata, porosity & reservoir pressure. If those hurdles are passed, then economics come into play. 

  BluFlame

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Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on May 11, 2016 at 5:28am

I know you're right.

But, it's just too bad we all (each of us) can't individually verify for ourselves that they actually exist and aren't just so much smoke being blown up our pants legs.

Thinking there's alot of that going on these days.

Just sayin'.

Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on May 11, 2016 at 7:26am

Blu.,

In your considered opinion, how does a Utica thickness of about 350', at a top depth of about 5500' (putting the bottom of the Point Pleasant at about 5850' with it being about 85' thick) stack up.

To me sounds like a lot of 'overburden' (been thinking all along myself that would create an abundance of geo-pressure).

A few things I haven't read reports on are the 1) Constituency / Texture, the Clay Content, and the Water / Brine content (resulting in the porosity / permeability / stickiness factors of it all).

Have you access to any such reports / knowledge ?

Another big thing lacking in the North as I've read is the lack of takeaway capacity (Pipelines) for the Natural Gas component - which I've read as of the 'Rich Condensate' and also 'Dry Gas' varieties (zones of both). As you've advised earlier the Oils are most of the time trucked away so I haven't considered that problematic myself.

Haven't heard much at all lately about the 'Velocys' project scheduled to be built in the City of Ashtabula - have you ? I always thought that would spur things on / help to get the ball rolling again.

Can you provide more data ?  If so, know that it would be appreciated.

Permalink Reply by Bluflame on May 11, 2016 at 5:42am

J-O,

Someone on this thread mentioned the Rogersville Shale located in Kentucky. It may be a better candidate for stacked strata laterals, since the strata thickness is 800 ft in some places. Comparatively, the Utica/Marcellus is ~300 ft at its thickest. Then porosities and pressures come into play. There hasn't been sufficient drilling in the Rogersville to confirm the variables.

BluFlame

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Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on May 11, 2016 at 6:25am

That was 'roadbuilder' a few replies above.

He should be happy reading what you posted in your reply.

Insufficient drilling to know enough about the variables in our geography as well I'm thinking (actually as I have been thinking for quite awhile now).

Thinking also there remains alot to sort out.

Permalink Reply by Bluflame on May 11, 2016 at 12:55pm

J-O, 

    Utica laterals are spaced at an absolute minimum horizontally 500' apart. There are many opinions that this is too close, causing "interference" between the laterals. Most of the Utica drillers prefer 1000', erring to caution.

    While I am no expert in this arena, logic would tell you the same spacing concerns apply vertically. Assuming that is the case, the Utica is not a good candidate for stacked laterals, and the Rogersville may be a marginal candidate.  Then the other variables must be considered.

BluFlame

Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on May 11, 2016 at 2:41pm

Thought I read on here in another and earlier post that they were installing them closer together (remembering here right now the distance 300' apart) but I certainly could be mis-remembering.

Don't know (wouldn't have thought / imagined myself) how the rock could be harmfully over fractured (to the point of damage to the well's production by placing the laterals too close together in any plane) but, if you say so, I understand your logic, certainly defer to your experience and thank you for the lesson, sir

Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on May 11, 2016 at 11:09pm

Blu',

Considering it's 300'-350' thickness renders the Utica Point Pleasant too thin for stacking verticals within, there would be all the producible intervals above and below to consider (for instance the Lexington / Trenton immediately below) - agree ?

Permalink Reply by Bluflame on May 12, 2016 at 5:10pm

J-O,

I must plead ignorance to the other strata.

Bluflame

Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on May 13, 2016 at 12:08am

Blu',

Myself, even less knowledgeable about the other strata, and that's for sure - but, your lease sounds like it has you protected; and (just so supposing) the single vertical with multiple (stacked) horizontals (connecting multiple horizons) might then work out to be feasible / advantageous to apply (no ? ?).

Now just noticing that the Point Pleasant being at the base of the Utica and only (in my geography) about 85' thick, when fractured would also fracture into the Lexington / Trenton (considering the fracture extends 250' to 500' from origin.

So, in that instance only one lateral would serve two intervals.

If that held true for your well also, I don't know what your position / perspective would be (considering your lease sounds to me to be 'strata specific').

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