There are many factors impacting the initial flow rate including shale depth (pressure), clay %, permeability, porosity, condensate production, frac design, etc. Although rates are lower than areas to the south, wells may still have good economics due to the lower capital cost associated with this part of the play. Initial rates seem to be improving as evidenced by the Exco well.
Thanks, Les. I am thinking specifically of north Caddo Parish. If the difference in TVD is relatively modest between say north Caddo and Desoto and all other cost factors are roughly equal, how would the wells be cheaper in north Caddo?
After hearing of the Twin Cities lease offers from Cathaus and others, I went back and reviewed the north Caddo leases that TC has recorded in the last 60 days. There are a fair number in 18N - 15 & 14W. Small acreages, mainly residential lots, although there are a few in the 30+ acre size. I find no leases recorded during that period for tracts in the 19N Ranges.
Skip, it is more the case of less pressure and temperature allowing for less expensive materials. Also probably requires less proppant because the formation stresses are lower. Finally the CO2 & H2S content are lower as you move north in the play.
Electro. How the decline rate varies with the formation pressures in different areas of the play is beyond my pay grade. However, the decline rate projections from the very beginning for HA Shale wells were in the 75-82% first year range. One topic that has gotten little debate but does get mentioned occasionally is the ability to refrac a well once production drops below commercial limits. Jay has stated previously that production from a refrac may be as high as 75% of the original IP. Looking on the positive side of high initial decline, once shale gas production represents ~50% of annual national produciton, the extreme swings in price should be history.
Electro, it is my impression that refrac's are really only applicable to vertical wells rather than horizontals. This is the reason they have been used in the Barnett Shale core area that is 400+ ft thick and was primarily developed with vertical wells. Some operators have even stated they do not believe that refrac's are economic for the Barnett Shale.
Skip, the variation in initial rate, flowing pressures and decline curves are all a function of the differences in rock properties for the difference regions of the Haynesville/Bossier Shale especially the clay content.
This is the reason the wells in Texas have lower initial IP's but could potentially exhibit decline curves similiar to the Barnett Shale wells.
Oh, I don't think refrac's are a real option for the Haynesville Shale wells.
this was taken from another post..but it is a breath of fresh gas..
The Crestview well is the 1st to crack 10 MMcfd in T18N. This well plus the Exco Sharp well shows the better operators are getting a handle on the northern portion of the play.