Horizontal Development in the Appalachian Basin Devonian Shale

Joseph L. Morris
Equitable Production Company, Pittsburgh, PA

Equitable Resources began a horizontal drilling pilot project in mid 2006, initially targeting the Lower Huron Shales in eastern KY. Equitable has drilled over 170 horizontal wells in this play, expanding the project into adjacent states and also targeting additional Devonian Shale zones and some non-shale reservoirs. Techniques such as multi-lateral drilling were also tested. This paper examines the results of this program, including the geologic setting of the target zones, the development strategy utilized by Equitable, and some of the results to date.

Presented AAPG Eastern Section Meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2008 © AAPG Eastern Section