Data Base for Eastern Gas-Bearing Formations: Development and Application

Abstract

Abstract The Appalachian Basin contains a number of low permeability formations which have produced natural gas for many years. The lack of reliable data/information pertaining to parameters controlling production of natural gas from such low permeability (tight) gas bearing formations has hindered their continuous economic development. The data that have been available usually consisted of isolated date points held within the company files without a mechanism for comparison with other similar formation(s) in the Appalachian Basin. This has effectively prohibited the development of any kind of statistically bass from which one might infer the production mechanism, predict performance, determine the responsiveness of formations to stimulation treatments, and delineate the high potential areas for future development. The overall goal of this study in directed towards answering some of the questions needed to help the eastern low permeability formations become viable candidates for future development. This research project endeavors to solve the problem, at least for a subset of the tight gas bearing formations consisting of Big Injun, Boron, Benson, Oriskany, Big Six and Tuscarora that exist in the Appalachian Basin. The research objectives have been achieved through:Development of a Database through collection, interpretation, and compilation of data relative to completion, production, and stimulation on the eastern tight gas formations so that a good research foundation can be established.Analysis of the data so that the key parameters affecting gas producing can be identified and quantified. It should be noted that the Database contains data on over 1200 wells in Kentucky, Now York, Ohio, Pennsylvania Virginia, and West Virginia. The information has been collected from a variety of sources including many gas companion. The Database can be utilized to identify and evaluate a range of lithological, reservoir, and treatment parameters which control the production of natural gas from the eastern tight gas formations. The utilization of the Database and its applications relative to identification and evaluation of the potential areas for future economic development are discussed in this paper. Introduction It is widely recognized that the proven gas reserves of the eastern United States would be substantially increased if light formation gas resources could be developed more economically. These formations are characterized by insufficient permeabilities to allow economical production. Although the introduction of various stimulation treatments has improved the outlook for increased production, the general applicability of theme treatments is uncertain. Difficulties in reservoir characterization and prediction of the responsiveness of the formation to stimulation treatments are among the major problems. It must also be pointed out that the development of tight formations is limited not only by existing engineering technology but also by the identification of the areas where the technology can successfully be applied. The design and application of successful stimulation treatments requires collection and analysis of geological and reservoir data for determination of parameters which affect production. Therefore, it in necessary to accumulate enough relevant data on the eastern tight formations so that a good research foundation can be established.