ShaleBlog.com » Bakken Shale

Rouge Fractures

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:00:31 +0000

“The chances of rogue fractures due to shale gas fracking operations extending beyond 0.6 kilometres from the injection source is a fraction of one percent, according to new research led by Durham University. The analysis is based on data from thousands of fracking operations in the USA and natural rock fractures in Europe and Africa.” Quoted from the Durham University press release.

Objections to Natural Gas Flaring

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:38:59 +0000

Drilling for oil in the shale formations of Texas and North Dakota often results in the flaring of natural gas – as some of these areas are not served by natural gas pipelines. Although this practice is somewhat of an industry tradition it is drawing increasing criticism because it wastes a non-renewable energy resource, is an economic loss, produces air pollution and contributes to climate change.

State Crude Oil Trends

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:27:13 +0000

Five states account for over 50% of the USA’s crude oil production with production rapidly increasing in Texas and North Dakota.

Hydraulic Fracturing Isn’t the Problem

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:30:43 +0000

“Hydraulic fracturing of shale formations to extract natural gas has no direct connection to reports of groundwater contamination [...] many problems ascribed to hydraulic fracturing are related to processes common to all oil and gas drilling operations, such as casing failures or poor cement jobs.” Quoted from the University of Texas at Austin press release.

North Dakota Sets Records for Oil and Natural Gas in 2011

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:13:22 +0000

Oil and natural gas production in North Dakota is at all-time highs, fueled by intense drilling activity in the Bakken Formation, Three Forks Formations and other rock units.

Dry Shale Gas Production Trends

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:56:56 +0000

The EIA Natural Gas Weekly Update has an interesting graph that tracks the month-by-month dry gas production growth from various shale gas fields in the United States. For example, it shows that production from the Haynesville Shale started to increase significantly in early 2009 and continued until today the Haynesville is the most prolific dry gas producer.

Fracking Backlog in North Dakota

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:35:57 +0000

Even though oil production from North Dakota’s Bakken Formation has propelled the state to new production records there is still a backlog of wells to be fracked.

Declining Royalty Payments from Natural Gas Wells

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:55:34 +0000

Many property owners are very surprised when the royalties that they receive from a natural gas well on their property decline sharply. They are learning about production decline curves.

North Dakota Oil Production Rising

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:23:31 +0000

Rising production from the Bakken Shale has propelled North Dakota up to the fourth largest oil producing state behind Texas, Alaska and California.

1/3 of Bakken Gas is Flared

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:30:55 +0000

The Energy Information Administration reports that about 1/3 of the natural gas produced from the Bakken Formation of North Dakota is flared instead of marketed because natural gas pipelines are not present in the production area or they can not accept additional gas.

Learning about Oil and Gas Leases

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:01:30 +0000

An article in the New York Times reviews some potential rewards and problems that occur when a landowner decides to lease his property for oil and and gas development.

Related: Mineral Rights

North Dakota: Record Oil Production

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:29:59 +0000

There is still more than one month remaining in 2011, but oil production in North Dakota has broken the annual record set in 2010. The state is on-target to produce about 150 million barrels.

Hiring Boom in North Dakota

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:24:37 +0000

Thousands of high-paying new jobs are unfilled in North Dakota where natural gas and oil are being produced from the Bakken Formation, the Niobrara Shale and other rock units.

How Much Oil is in the Bakken?

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:56:04 +0000

Although the United States Geological Survey estimates that the Bakken Formation beneath parts of North Dakota, Montana and Canada might contain over 4 billion barrels of oil, Harold Hamm, believes that it might contain up to 24 billion barrels.

Oh No! Who Really Owns the Natural Gas in Shale?

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:59:03 +0000

Is natural gas part of the shale or is it a fugitive commodity that is not an integral part of any specific rock unit? Will a refined legal definition of natural gas in Pennsylvania overturn thousands of historic leases?