07122-16

Primary Performer
Gas Technology Institute, Des Plaines, IL 60018

Additional Participants
Amherst College, Amherst MA 01002
Bureau of Economic Geology (University of Texas), Austin, TX 78758
Pinnacle Technologies, Houston, TX 77064
ResTech Inc., Houston, TX 77068
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
Aurora Oil and Gas, Traverse City, MI 49684
CNX Gas, Canonsburg, PA 15317
Daugherty Petroleum Inc. (NGAS), Lexington, Kentucky 40509
Diversified Operating Corp., Golden, CO 80401
Noble Energy Inc., Crossville, IL 62827
Rex Energy, State College, PA 16801
Southwestern Energy, Houston, TX 77032
Trendwell Energy, Greenville, MI 48838

Abstract

Objectives of the project:
This project serves the RPSEA objective in Area of Interest 1: Gas Shale. The target resource is New Albany shale with up to 160 tcf on in-place gas, the production from which awaits the development of effective drilling and completion technologies. The principal objective of this project is to develop techniques and methodologies for increasing the success ratio and productivity of New Albany shale gas wells to a level at which the otherwise noncommercial wells become commercial producers. The goal of the proposed research is to convert this considerable resource into producible gas reserves.

Description of project/methods to be employed:
The proposal is for a field-based industry cooperative project with producer involvement and high cofunding that combines scientific and technical analyses with field data acquisition, testing, and field validation. A comprehensive integrated project plan for geologic, geochemical, reservoir engineering, and production stimulation studies and a detailed field data acquisition and testing plan addressing all major issues have been prepared.

Impact and benefits of the project:
The average estimate of producible gas present in New Albany shale is 10.5 tcf (1.9 to 19.2 tcf.) However, substantial production from this resource requires the development of technologies for reducing the production cost and financial risks that is achievable only through comprehensive research and development work as proposed for this project. Successful completion of the proposed work has the potential of initiating commercial production from New Albany shale resulting in the addition of 10 tcf of gas to the US natural gas supply amounting to about 40% of the annual demand.

Principal Investigator Iraj A. Salehi