Anyone have an opinion on this? This is pertaining to any given reservoir bench. Take any given unit that has been developed, whether it's four, six, eight laterals. In the early days, eight was common and would be laterals every 660 feet. Now, you see a lot of units with 'only' four laterals, so, double that spacing. Whether, it's four, six or eight, do you think that it's possible that drainage of each lateral is or will be much less than originally thought? And that more laterals could be drilled between the existing laterals and extract enough 'more' gas to make such drilling profitable? Of course, a big price for natural gas would help. This is more pointed to geology and reservoir engineering. BTW... is bottom hole pressure even a factor in these gas shales? It's super tight, yes, but is BHP factor in at all?

This question could also be more targeted to those units that have fewer laterals per section, such as four, as opposed to eight. However, they are putting larger fracs on these wells with wider spacing. Just wonder how effective their fracs are to get all the gas and actually drain every acre (theoretically) in a section. Or... do companies actually discuss and plan for more infills down the road? I've never seen it discussed and it's probably not exactly a topic they would publicize.

From a mineral owner standpoint, from a drainage standpoint, I have thought that I'd rather have eight laterals/mile than four. (Yes, there are other considerations other than drainage.) From the operator's perspective, they'd rather have four, assuming that it does, indeed, drain the unit. Because they are paying for the drilling/completion.

Another question pertains to reservoir benches. Do you think that the Haynesville only has one bench? Same question for Bossier? I don't recall seeing a presentation where they touted multiple commercial benches within either the Haynesville or Bossier. The Haynesville and Bossier get lumped together sometimes when discussed but are actually different formations.

It would be interesting if someone did a dissertation on the stratigraphy of the Haynesville/Bossier complex now that thousands of wells have been drilled in these plays. And discuss benches! Or lack thereof.

Another interesting subject would be tieing in (or not) the Western Haynesville-Bossier play with the 'original' Haynesville-Bossier play. But that's really for another thread.

Views: 35

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Both the Haynesville and Mid-Bossier shales are limited in thickness (~300' to 500') so I think one bench each.  Over the years operators have experimented with the landing depth in each but the variances are relatively small.  I look at how much a well is producing of the recoverable reserves by looking at the pounds of proppant per linear foot of lateral.  Early wells 1500 to 2100# per foot.  Mid play wells 2500 to 3000#.  Current version fracks are about 3500 to 3600#.  There are other completion design elements that also play a part.  Length of stage, number and placement of perforation clusters. Those early wells (eight well spacing) based on recoverable reserves estimates would have produced ~12.5% each.  I think that the actual recovered was more like 5%.  So is half the reserves still remaining in those units?  See EXCO HA units.  Since rock quality varies across the basin, it is impossible to provide an estimate that covers all locales.  I think it is informative to look at the units where operators are re-fracking early version wells.  Here again there are variances across the play.  I think the most re-fracks have been done by Aethon including those by their predecessor QEP (Questar).  QEP stopped drilling new wells and did only refracks the last two years they operated.  Aethon by now has likely passed 65+ refracks and in many instances refracks the old well or wells when they drill new long lateral wells in those units and have a completion crew on site.

I'll hope for responses by Rock Man and Ryan.

RSS

Support GoHaynesvilleShale.com

Blog Posts

Tuscaloosa Trend Sits On Top Of Poorest Neighbourhood For Decades - Yet No Royalties Ever Paid To The Community -- Why??

In researching the decades-old Tuscaloosa Trend and the immense wealth it has generated for many, I find it deeply troubling that this resource-rich formation runs directly beneath one of the poorest communities in North Baton Rouge—near…

Continue

Posted by Char on May 29, 2025 at 14:42 — 4 Comments

Not a member? Get our email.



© 2025   Created by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher).   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service