Making Mature Shale Gas Plays Commercial: Process vs. Natural Parameters

摘要

Fort Worth Basin Barnett Shale fiscal success and completion methodology have matured to the point that analog plays all over the North American continent are being actively sought and tested. It is probable that additional potential plays outside the current active areas exist, and that sufficient infrastructure may be present (or could be present) to develop them. Low permeability shale gas extraction has only become generally commercial over the last five to six years. Finding and developing this type of reservoir involves matching a number of naturally occurring parameters with an extraction process that is both detailed and capital intensive. This paper will address the natural parameters that must be present for a commercial play to be viable. It will cover the latest process and engineering improvements (stimulation and other completion issues) that have shown to improve the overall net present value of the various properties. Wildcatting strategies will be addressed, including minimizing 'science' costs and reducing the time required to advance up a given learning curve.