--> Abstract: Characterization of Devonian Shale Formations in the Appalachian Basin, by Thomas H. Mroz, Dustin Crandall, Kalin McDannal, and John Landis; #90124 (2011)

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AAPG ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
Making the Next Giant Leap in Geosciences
April 10-13, 2011, Houston, Texas, USA

Characterization of Devonian Shale Formations in the Appalachian Basin

Thomas H. Mroz1; Dustin Crandall2; Kalin McDannal2; John Landis2

(1) Earth and Mineral Science Division, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, WV.

(2) URS, Morgantown, WV.

The goal of the project was to compile all of the historic DOE Eastern Gas Shale Project (EGSP) data and build geologic and mechanistic models of the Devonian shale distribution across the basin. The tasks focused on developing a database of the geochemical analysis, well logs, core lithologies, natural fracture descriptions, mechanical test results and reservoir parameter analyses that were done on the EGSP oriented core wells. The wells cover the basin from New York through Pennsylvania into West Virginia, Kentucky and eastern Ohio. Thirty eight wells were drilled from depths of 750 M (2500 ft) to 2500 M (8200 ft). In addition to the historic data, new analytical tools were employed to determine kerogen distribution, natural and induced fracture morphology and porosity and permeability of the formation which is both a source and reservoir rock. The tools employed include several CT scanners, optical and confocal microscopy to quantify mineral and organic volume and fracture roughness, and SEM to evaluate migration pathways for the fluids.

Other analytical methods applied to the samples include; fluid inclusion analysis, source rock analysis, gas and water chemistry for a complete set of parameters for input to burial history and reservoir modeling tasks. Earthvision is utilized to display and perform volumetric calculations on individual wells, small areas with several horizontal wells and on a regional basis. The results indicate that the lithology changes across the basin as well as the organic character and structural features influence reservoir production potential. Drilling, completion and stimulation methods are affected by the current state of insitu stress and lithological changes control induced fracture geometries during stimulations. The total petroleum potential from the shale formations is variable over the vertical stratigraphic section and by applying the results from this study industry can optimize the recovery of petroleum from this resource.