Gas Well Stimulation In The Eastern United States

Abstract

Abstract Due to the population density and cold winter temperatures, the demand for gas in the Northeastern United States is frequently publicized by the mass media. Much discussion publicized by the mass media. Much discussion is also held concerning the influence of this demand on present reserves and production in other parts of the United States. Although less publicly known, perhaps, there is much activity within the Eastern United States to develop and stimulate gas production in that particular geographical production in that particular geographical area. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general review of the pertinent provide a general review of the pertinent gasbearing formations of the Eastern United States and to give an indication of successful hydraulic fracturing procedures which are currently being used. Several fracturing treatment procedures have been investigated in the Eastern United States. Massive hydraulic fracturing is being tested as a possible key to sustained production increase in several formations. Various types of fluids are being evaluated. This paper provides the status and results of some of provides the status and results of some of these stimulation approaches. The Eastern United States also contains a certain amount of development potential in low-pressure gas bearing formations like the Eastern Gas Shales (Devonian Shale, for example). Many gas companies, in addition to the United States government, are interested in the production potential of these formations. This paper discusses some preliminary results of stimulation in these marginal formations. Offshore exploration in the Baltimore Canyon along the East Coast is a point of national interest. The anticipated potential for stimulation and possible stimulation approaches for offshore Eastern United States will be discussed. Introduction Because of the standard of living and the present population of the United States, the demand for oil and gas as an energy source is at an all-time high. The daily demand for energy is especially felt in areas of population density. This is especially true in the Eastern United States. Oil and gas well development has been a continuing industry in this area since Edwin Drake's discovery well at Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859. Pennsylvania in 1859.Geology of the various gas producing formations in the East is complex and several depositional periods are involved. This paper will discuss many of these areas and provide an indication of what formations are present in each area and methods of stimulation utilized. When the Eastern United States is described as a geographical area one should consider the states show in Fig. 1. Present primary gas well production involves Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. Some gas production is also provided by Virginia and Tennessee. Although Mississippi lies east of the Mississippi River and provides a considerable amount of gas production, its geological development more closely fits the Gulf Coast States. Therefore, Mississippi and its producing formations will not be discussed in this paper. With the exception of Mississippi, one can say the bulk of the gas production of the Eastern United States comes from those states located in the Northeast. These areas will be discussed in this paper. p. 49