--> Abstract: South Shale Ridge a Coalbed Methane Field in the Piceance Basin, Colorado, by G. L. Hampton, III, T. E. Hemler, and D. Dowden; #91017 (1992).

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ABSTRACT: South Shale Ridge a Coalbed Methane Field in the Piceance Basin, Colorado

HAMPTON, GEORGE L., III, Hampton & Associates, Inc., Denver, CO, THOMAS E. HEMLER, Consultant, Denver, CO, and DOUGLAS DOWDEN, Conquest Oil Company, Greeley, CO

South Shale Ridge field is a coalbed gas field located in northern Mesa and southern Garfield counties, Colorado, in the Piceance basin. Initial exploration began in late 1989. Conquest Oil of Greeley, Colorado, has drilled 14 wells as of late 1991. All wells are in various stages of completion or production. Gas production is from the Upper Cretaceous Cameo Coal Group of the lower William Forks Formation. Initially, the area was selected based on geologic parameters of structure, hydrology, gas content, and other known reservoir characteristics. After three test cores were recovered from the Celsius/Conquest McLish Fed. 8-1 well, Conquest drilled two wells followed by substantial testing to provide reservoir parameters and gather the data needed to continue with development. Subseque t to verification of rates and reserves, as well as modeling of predicted performance, 12 additional wells were drilled as cased hole completions and stimulated using a number of methods.

Initial encouraging production rates in the field were followed by declining rates due to mechanical problems. Present rates are on the increase following a remedial program. The reservoirs in these wells are a series of partially gas-saturated coals in a discharge part of the basin. Water production is quite low and inclining gas production can be achieved only by pressure interference from spacing of the wells. Economic rates have been reached with inclining production expected to continue as pressure drawdown increases.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91017©1992 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Casper, Wyoming, September 13-16, 1992 (2009)