ShaleBlog.com » Barnett 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.

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.

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.

Texas: Fracking Chemicals and Water Consumption Reports

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:35:39 +0000

A new regulation will require drillers in Texas to report the chemicals in their hydraulic fracturing fluid and the amount of water used to frack each well.

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.

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

Declining Production from the Barnett Shale

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:53:57 +0000

An article on the Star-Telegram.com website explores declining production from the Barnett Shale of Texas – the rock unit that supported the first important use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

Barnett Shale: 100,000 Jobs and $65 Billion

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:13:24 +0000

An article on the BizJournals.com website summarizes the economic impact of natural gas development in the Barnett Shale of Texas.

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?

35 Wells on One Barnett Shale Drilling Pad

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 05:08:38 +0000

Devon Energy has drilled over 4,700 wells in the Barnett Shale field since 2001. Today they are in the process of drilling 35 horizontal wells, all at different compass directions, from a single 12-acre pad. This is believed to be the largest number of wells ever drilled from a single Barnett Shale pad.

Geographic History of Barnett Shale Drilling Activity

admin — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:34:39 +0000

The Energy Information Administration has an interesting animated map on their website that shows the geographic spread of drilling activity in the Barnett Shale around Fort Worth, Texas. It also shows the introduction and spread of horizontal drilling activity throughout the Barnett Shale gas play.

Shale Gas and U.S. National Security

admin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 05:35:56 +0000

The Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University has published a report titled: “Shale Gas and U.S. National Security”. “This study assesses the impact of U.S. domestic shale gas development on energy security and U.S. national security, with emphasis on the geopolitical consequences of rising supplies of U.S. natural gas from shale and the implications for U.S. foreign policy.” Quoted from the report summary.

Brine Contamination Associated with Oil and Gas Production in the Williston Basin

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:21:58 +0000

“U.S. Geological Survey scientists and cooperating partners are examining the potential risk to aquatic resources by contamination from saline waters produced by petroleum development in the Williston Basin of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.” Quoted from the USGS publication release.

Chesapeake Energy: Land Acquisition Machine

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:05:16 +0000

A post on the Seeking Alpha blog details how successful Chesapeake Energy has been at rapidly leasing enormous acreages in all of the major natural gas shale plays in the United States. They author calls them a “land acquisition machine”.

Impact of Barnett Shale Development on Groundwater Resources

admin — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:02:32 +0000

The impact of hydraulic fracturing on ground water supplies is a concern in almost every area where the well stimulation method is employed. The Texas Water Development Board has published an informative study: Northern Trinity/Woodbine GAM Assessment of Groundwater Use in the Northern Trinity Aquifer Due To Urban Growth and Barnett Shale Development. Get the report here.