Shale Gas - U.S. Trends and Expansion

David Reimers
IHS, Houston, TX

High prices and increased success in exploration and production are the incentives behind the sharp increase in shale gas exploration in the U.S. Without doubt the Barnett has the most recent completions and a continuous increase in production. But other gas shales in the U.S. are proving to be highly productive and these plays are expanding and the center of sharply increased activity in several areas of the county. Drilling in shale gas plays in the U.S. has increased from over 2900 completions in 2004 to over 3400 in 2005, with 2006 completions totaling over 3600. Permits for shale gas drilling also have increased in 2006 and 2007. What are the expanding shale gas plays in the U.S.? Based on 2006 activity, gas shales in several basins are showing increased activity including the Fayetteville shale in the Arkoma Basin, the Lewis and Mancos shales in the Uinta and San Juan Basins, and the Devonian and Antrim shales in the Eastern U.S. basins. The Barnett shale continues to have increased activity. Total cumulative gas production form the Barnett shale is now over 2800 bcf. An analysis of completion maps and graphing of production figures illustrate the expansion and success of gas shale exploration and development in the U.S. The shale gas activity in the U.S. indicates that such production will continue to be an increasing source of unconventional gas in the U.S. and a model for international shale gas exploration.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas