--> Cross-comparison of Stacked Unconventional Plays of Delaware and Appalachian Basins: Reservoir Characteristics and Production Profiles

2019 AAPG Eastern Section Meeting:
Energy from the Heartland

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Cross-comparison of Stacked Unconventional Plays of Delaware and Appalachian Basins: Reservoir Characteristics and Production Profiles

Abstract

Increasing drilling and completion operations within the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays are responsible for much of the crude oil and associated natural gas production growth in the Permian Basin since 2005. In 2018 Wolfcamp and Bone Spring accounted for about 1.8 million barrels of crude oil per day (MMb/d) (about 14% of total U.S. oil production), and almost 5.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (Bcf/d) (about 4 % of total U. S. gas production). According to EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2018 (Reference case) domestic crude oil production is expected to grow through 2040 mainly due to continuing development of unconventional reservoirs of the Permian basin, including Wolfcamp and Bone Spring Play. Natural gas production from shale formations in the Appalachia region has increased rapidly since 2012, driving an overall increase in U.S. production. In 2018 Marcellus and Utica/Point Pleasant plays generated 25.9 Bcf/d of dry natural gas, or 31% of total U.S. production. According to EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2018 Reference case Natural gas production from shale plays is expected to increase through 2040. Both Appalachian shale plays have remained resilient to the low natural gas prices and are projected to continue to drive total U.S. production in the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is in the process of updating maps of the major tight oil and shale gas plays of the lower 48 states using publically available geologic data and a commercial well-level database. Thematic and production maps for Eagle Ford, Bakken, Marcellus, Utica, Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays have recently been published at the EIA Maps webpage. Play maps for the eastern part of the Permian basin including the Midland basin and Central Basin Platform are under construction. Additional maps are also planned for the remaining major oil and natural gas plays for which sufficient well, production, and geologic data are available. Side-by- side comparison of maps, cross-sections, and production profiles shows similarities and differences across Appalachian and Delaware basin stacked play characteristics and production profiles. E.g. two basins have factors favorable for production including proximity to consuming markets and established infrastructure. Drilling wells in the Appalachia and Delaware regions has become very productive. EIA attributes increase in hydrocarbon production in these two regions to efficiency improvements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, which include faster drilling, longer laterals, advancements in technology, and better targeting of wells. E.g., in the Appalachian basin, the average lateral length per well has increased from about 2,500 feet in 2007 to more than 9,000 feet in 2018. Some operators have recorded lateral lengths as long as 18,000 feet in the Marcellus and 19,000 feet in the Utica. Along with longer horizontal drilling, the days it takes for completion have decreased from about 30 days in 2011 to 4 days in 2018.