Tech Transfer Track

Glossary of Terms, Reserves and Resources Documents

In recent years, AAPG, SPE's Oil and Gas Reserves Committee, and the World Petroleum Council (WPC) worked together to develop "Guidelines for the Evaluation of Petroleum Reserves and Resources." Industry feedback spurred the three groups to assemble (and in part write) a glossary of terms. This glossary is now available online through SPE (www.spe.org/spe/jsp/basic/0,,1104_
3306579,00.html). Also available are the reserves and resource definitions and the Resource Classification System, as well as purchasing instructions for the referenced Guidelines (www.spe.
org/spe/jsp/basic/0,,1104_1730,00.
html).

Recommended Reading

“Sand Control in Horizontal Wells,” World Oil, August 2005, pp. 77-80 (www.worldoil.com/
Magazine/MAGAZINE_DETAIL.
asp?ART_ID=2660&MONTH_
YEAR=Aug-2005). See also the "Sand Control Supplement" for September 2005.

“Shaking To The Right,” Hart E&P, August 2005, pp. 65-66 (www.eandpnet.com/articles/2110).

“Using Technology, Expertise To Optimize Core Assets,” The American Oil & Gas Reporter, June 2005, pp. 93-101.

Sucker Rod Handling, A Component of Long Service Life

"A rod string that is properly designed (based upon experience), physically handled and made-up in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer, operated within acceptable design parameters and maintained with an effective downhole corrosion control program should give a long, satisfactory, and economical service life."

Setting the stage with this statement, Russell Stevens and Scott Malone of Norris discuss rod "Storage and Transportation" in the first of a four-part series in AESC's Well Servicing magazine. Although not new technology, it is technology likely to be overlooked in the press of

doing business, or new workers may be unaware of the nuances due to inadequate training. In quite detailed fashion, the authors outline 10 points, providing meaningful pictures for key concepts. Whether as a refresher course or as training for a new hand, this article is well worth the read.

Excerpted from "Protecting Your Investment in Sucker Rods," Well Servicing, July/August 2005, pp. 12-15.

E&P Upside in Michigan—Some Resources

A recent article in Oil and Gas Journal about historical/future potential in Michigan, prompted PTTC to list four information resources for those playing Michigan.

• "Historical Production Trends Suggest Remaining Upside for E&D in Michigan," Albert S. Wylie Jr. and James R. Wood, Michigan Technological University, Oil and Gas Journal, June 20, 2005, pp. 38-46. This is an excellent historical analysis/ overview of major producing formations in Michigan.

• Summary of PTTC workshop (Sept. 04) titled "Petroleum Systems of the Michigan Basins—A Look at Remaining and Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources" (www.pttc.org/
  solutions/sol_2004/538.htm)

• Upcoming PTTC workshop—Get There. "Undiscovered Oil and Gas in the Michigan Basin," Oct. 20 in Mt. Pleasant, MI (to register, visit http://wst
  023.west.wmich.edu/
  October%2020%20
  PTTC%20MOGA%20
  Workshop%20
  Announcement.htm).

• Attendance at these workshops is often space limited, call quickly to make your reservations. Ending the workshop, a panel of Michigan independents will share their thoughts on concepts presented.

• Michigan Basin Core Research Laboratory (www.wmich.edu/
  geology/corelab/corelab.htm) and/or PTTC Midwest's Michigan Satellite (http://wst023.west.
  wmich.edu/pttc1.htm) websites.

Horizontal Potential
for Appalachian
Berea Wells

Beyond Trenton-Black River and coalbed methane wells, horizontals have not been applied in the Appalachian Region. To explore potential for conventional tight Appalachian reservoirs, Schlumberger Data & Consulting Services history-matched performance of an existing vertical Berea Sand well in Haysi Field, Dickenson County, Virginia to determine actual reservoir parameters. Researchers then looked at what happened when permeability, length and pressure changed, exploring different scenarios of what a horizontal lateral would encounter. Simulation-based findings include:

•  In most situations, vertical permeability was not a severe limitation.

• A few stringers of very low vertical permeability would not kill production from a horizontal.

• With regards to hydraulic fracturing, three scenarios were investigated: two involving open holes using parallel and transverse fractures and one cased hole. A fracture running parallel to the wellbore with a length of 400 to 600 ft is technically possible and would add significant value. Transverse fractures and cased-hole production would not be significant economically.

• Aggressively lowering the bottomhole pressure was possible, implying that horizontals could be effective in infill applications.

Overall, Schlumberger concluded that "Across the spectrum of permeabilities we are likely to hit in Appalachia in Berea-Weir type formations, the horizontal wells outperform vertical wells on a per-acre basis."

For information contact Schlumberger's Chuck Boyer (boyer@pittsburgh.oilfield.slb.
com).