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Vol. 7, No. 1
1st Quarter 2001

Alaska Coalbed and Shallow Gas Resources

Alaska may be far from California, but when PTTC's West Coast Region schedules activities there, it is worth the trip. Coming April 30 through May 4 in Anchorage, PTTC and several co-sponsors are bringing a week-long technology event focusing on Alaska coalbed methane and shallow gas resources. The event begins with a two-day field trip (limited to 44) to the Kenai Peninsula and Cook Inlet area (April 30 & May 1). Then, on consecutive days, there will be two separate short courses, focusing respectively on "Technology of Hydraulic Fracturing" and "Horizontal Drilling and Completion." Wrapping up the event, there will be a Thursday evening dinner workshop, followed by an all-day session on Friday. Come see what opportunities there may be in this realm for you, and enjoy early spring in Alaska. Contact: 213-740-8076 or email pttc@archie.usc.edu.

Petroleum Technology Transfer Council's New Webpage (www.pttc.org)

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PTTC Leverages Technology Transfer Through Trade Journals

Continuing the Petroleum Technology Digest tradition begun in 1999, four field-oriented case studies were published in the March issue of World Oil. Topics included:

• Horizontal Wells Extend the Tulare Sands Play in Belridge Field, California
• Gel Polymer Treatments Provide Lasting Production, Economic Benefits
• Pressure-Activated Sealant Repairs Casing Leaks
• Walking Beam-Operated Compressor Offers Solution for Wellhead Compression

Full case studies can be accessed through PTTC's website (http://www.pttc.org). Additional case studies are planned for the May issue of World Oil. Soon thereafter, PTTC will have available a special reprint containing the eight case studies published so far during 2001.

Beginning with 2001, PTTC is also contributing a special column, "Tech Connections," for The American Oil and Gas Reporter. The introductory column in January focused on PTTC's commitment to enhance its website network. The February column focused on insights for optimized horizontal well development, presenting thoughts shared by Bob Knoll, Maurer Technology, Inc. in a December workshop in California. In March, the focus switched to wellbore management, that is, keeping production and injection wells alive and well, highlighting information to be delivered in a March 22 workshop in Midland. PTTC looks forward to continuing to connect producers through this column.

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Exploring for Deep Gas in South Louisiana

South Louisiana production has remained steady at approximately 2.3 Bcfd despite a declining well count, from 2,800 in the early 1970s to about 900 today. Almost half of the 2.3 Bcfd is from wells deeper than 15,000 feet. Although prolific, there aren't that many wells deeper than 15,000 feet, only 5,900—so the territory is relatively unexplored. Although not that many, deeper drilling within existing fields has proven to be very successful for a number of operators.

For example, Unocal/Spirit 76, using new 3-D seismic data, drilled deeper into the Miocene section in Fresh Water Bayou field in Vermilion Parish and discovered a highly productive zone. Current gas production rates, in this field that was discovered in 1944, are ten times historical rates. In another example, ExxonMobil-operated Pecan Island field, a 98-well field discovered in 1943, now has 508 Bcf of projected reserves.

A statistical comparison of 77 deep wells drilled in Schlumberger's Transition 2000 3-D survey area (nonexclusive) shows that wells drilled off 3-D seismic recover more reserves. More than 50% of 3-D influenced wells have an estimated ultimate recovery of 15 Bcf, as compared to just 6 Bcf for wells drilled without 3-D seismic control.

GTI, in conjunction with Schlumberger, has developed a series of four analytical resources: (1) production history and potential analysis, (2) regional sequence stratigraphy, (3) well tie seismic grid, and (4) seismic facies interpretation. These resources are being offered to industry at varied prices.

Excerpted from Gas Tips, Winter 2001, Vol. 7, No. 1. Contact Kim Hensley, Schlumberger, phone 712-513-2241 or khemsley@houston.oilfield.slb.com about the technical study or Transition 2000 data.