Volume 12, No. 3, 3rd Quarter 2006

 

 Petroleum Technology Transfer Council   

        WWW.PTTC.ORG

Strong Activity in Shale Gas Resource Plays

The PTTC has seen great strides occurring in the United States with rapidly evolving technology changes in the unconventional resource arena. The organization has worked with the Department of Energy to alert industry to coiled tubing and microhole drilling and their advancement into the Lower 48 market. Most recently the PTTC assisted in connecting those interested in the DOE-supported projects in the HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) realm. Early this spring we facilitated a group of individuals very knowledgeable in CO2 flooding to express and prioritize their perceptions of technology needs. All of above said, technology transfer for the Lower 48 dominated by independent producers is not just about leading-edge technologies or R&D. It's also about bottom-line proven technologies that are applicable

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In This Issue

Environmental Corner ................ 3
Tech Transfer Track ................... 4-6
State-of-the-Art Summary .......... 8-10
DOE Digest ................................ 11
PTTC Tech Info ........................ 13
Upcoming PTTC Events ............ 15

PTTC is a national not-for-profit information network formed in 1994 by oil and natural gas producers. Programs are funded by matching funds from the US Department of Energy (DOE) with funds from State Governments, Universities, State Geological Surveys and Industry. This program would not be possible without contributions from the DOE Office of Fossil Energy through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

Opportunity Still Abounds in Conventional O&G

Not like it's a big secret, but industry interest and activity in shale gas resource plays remains intensive. Articles abound in trade journals and there are many groups organizing events. This article focuses on PTTC events and contributions. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list, but more an alert to activities that will convey evolving technologies and provide networking opportunities with others immersed in shale gas development.

Nearly 400 people attended the Oklahoma Geological Survey's (OGS) March conference on "Coalbed Methane and Gas Shales in the Southern Midcontinent" where there was a strong focus on regional shale gas plays—the Woodford, Caney, and Fayetteville. Brief summary information is available on the PTTC South Midcontinent Region's website (www.ogs.ou.edu/PTTC/highlights.php), but readers are encouraged to contact OGS's Brian Cardott (bcardott@ou.edu) for current information. You might ask Brian about vitrinite reflectance maps that he's been developing for the Woodford Shale.

The Arkansas Geological Commission and PTTC's South Midcontinent Region recently hosted a "Fayetteville Shale" workshop in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Ed Ratchford with the Commission gave an excellent summary of activity/status of Fayetteville development. The Commission makes extensive data/maps available (www.state.ar.us/agc/FayShGasPlay.doc), including Information Circular 37 on a recent "Organic Geochemistry and Thermal Maturation Analysis." On August 3 the OGS and PTTC's South Midcontinent Region will host a "Caney Shale Gas" workshop in Oklahoma City. Looking further along to the fall (tentatively Oct. 23), plans are underway for the "2nd Midcontinent CBM Symposium" involving the Midcontinent CBM Forum, the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, PTTC's North and South Midcontinent Regions, and others. Early plans are for the Symposium to also address shale gas topics.

Rockies producers should make note of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists' and PTTC Rocky Mountain Region's 2006 Sep. 25th Symposium on "Shale Gas; From Grassroots Exploration to Production." (Watch RMAG's website www.rmag.org for information.) Topics will include information on current major plays, frontier exploration, source rocks, maturation, fractures, well stimulation and geophysical technology.

Finally, readers are encouraged to periodically visit the Barnett Shale website (www.energyconnect.com/pttc/BSR/index.htm) maintained by PTTC's Texas Region. Nothing is ever 100% complete, but there one can find information about many publications and other resources.