Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Les Bamburg on September 14, 2009 at 15:23

Logan, there is not sufficient information available to draw a conclusion regarding the performance of this well.

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Permalink Reply by Parkdota on September 14, 2009 at 15:35

Well, at least it's not bad news then lol. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Bacon on September 18, 2009 at 1:48

I just heard that a new Questar well that IP'd at 25mmcfd and originally planned to be dialed back to 10mm is now being choked back to 3 or 4mmcfd. The taps are turning off, or at least waaay down.

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Permalink Reply by Henry on September 18, 2009 at 1:53

Bacon,
If I were participating in this well, I'd be happy to have it choked back. With gas at $3, royalty checks don't look so good. If I could wait a couple of years and get $6, I'd be happy to wait.

What I don't know is this: Does choking these wells back have any effect on the EUR? Does this hurt the total production from the well in any way?

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Permalink Reply by Les Bamburg on September 18, 2009 at 2:45

Henry, for shale wells there should be no reduction in the ultimate recovery related to restricting the flow rate. Typically there is more of a concern that flowing at too high a rate could damage the well and/or formation. This is is reason Haynesville Shale wells are normally produced on a restricted choke (ie 24/64") during their early life. Over time the choke size can be increased to full open.

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Permalink Reply by Henry on September 18, 2009 at 2:49

Les,
Thanks. If that's the case, I'd be happy to be choked back, rather than selling my gas at $3.

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Permalink Reply by Bacon on September 18, 2009 at 3:38

One thing that was mentioned today (from a second hand source) was that they suspect that with the higher flowing wells, they are losing proppant from the frac. Increasing the rate of decline.

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Permalink Reply by Les Bamburg on September 18, 2009 at 3:21

Ruby, when natural gas is "rich" the chilling effect of the pressure drop can result in some hydrocarbon condensate. These liquids are not a problem for producing wells because it is normal and they are recovered in the production separator and sold at a high price. The Haynesville Shale is very "lean" gas and unlikely to generate any significant volumes of condensate.

By the way, there is always some level of choking required to drop the flowing pressure (ie 5000 psi) down to line pressure (ie 1200 psi).

Some wells will utilize line heaters to avoid problems with hydrate formation due to this chilling effect.

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