3.1.3. Key Eastern Gas Shales Projects

Listed below are the key Eastern Gas Shales projects undertaken during the 1977-1992 time frame.

The primary Project Manager for the Eastern Gas Shales program during this time period was Chuck Komar. Other key technical project officers included: Albert Yost II, A. Crawley, K-H Frohne, G. Schott, Claude Dean, Clyde Pierce, Royal Watts, Larry Headley and Arlen Hunt.

Massive Hydraulic Fracturing Tests
Contracts: E(46-1)-8014, EF-76-C-05-5303
Performer: Columbia Gas Systems Service Corp. (Columbus, OH)
Key Investigators: W.F. Morse
Time Period: 1975 -- 1978
Objectives: The objectives of this project were to demonstrate the potential of massive hydraulic fracturing treatments for improving the production of gas from fractured Devonian shales. Demonstrations were performed in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia.

Gas Production Stimulation by Chemical Explosive Fracturing
Contract: E(26-1)-685, 686, 687
Performer: Petroleum Technology Corporation
Key Investigators: S. J. LaRocca
Time Period: 1976 - 1978
Objectives: To demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of chemical explosive fracturing technology as an effective stimulation techniques for increasing gas deliverability from Devonian shale wells. Demonstration wells were stimulated in WV and KY.

Directionally Drilled Well in the Devonian Shale
Contract: E-(46-1)-8047
Performer: Consolidated Gas Supply Corporation
Key Investigators: T.A. Kuhn
Time Period: 1976 - 1977
Objectives: To test the feasibility of the concept that a gas well drilled at an angle from vertical will intercept more of the natural fracture system and thereby produce more gas at a higher rate. The specific objectives were to test the economic and technical feasibility of:

• Geophysical techniques (remote sensing, near-surface stress measurements, surface joint measurements and oriented core data) to determine the optimum location and preferred orientation of natural fracture systems in the Devonian shale, and
• Directional wellbores stimulated with multiple-staged hydraulic fracture treatments to improve deliverabilities and reserves of wells drilled in the Devonian shale.

• Determine the effectiveness of remote sensing imagery as a tool to optimize well locations in the Devonian shale,
• Determine the relative effectiveness and quantitative benefit of foam fracturing and cryogenic fracturing to increase gas well production rates and reserves in the Devonian shale, and
• Determine if scaled-up versions of the better of the two types of treatments (foam or cryogenic fracturing) are cost effective techniques for improving gas well production rates and reserves in the Devonian shale.

• Compile available well and outcrop data on the New Albany Group in IL, including data from oriented cores from ERDA wells
• Study stratigraphy and structure of the New Albany Group to determine relationship to occurrence of natural gas
• Characterize in detail the physical, mineralogical , chemical properties and hydrocarbon content, by detailed analyses of core material, and delineate high potential well locations,
• Characterize chemically the Eastern Shales to aid in evaluating their economic importance and in the exploration for natural gas.

• Description of lithology and fracture orientation of oriented cores.
• Preparation of lineament maps in Eastern Kentucky.
• Correlation of production trends with remote sensing data in various geologic settings.

• Determine if structural types and styles, surface lineations, and ground water movement for productive areas of the Devonian Shales differ from those in nonproductive areas,
• Determine the feasibility of using shallow penetration resistivity and seismic surveys to detect near-surface faults and fractures and demonstrate their relationship to lineations observed on airborne imagery,
• Identify and define along with other contractors those geologic parameters that control gas production from the shales, and
• Develop a method for selecting areas for drilling shale wells that have a potential for gas production.