Some Thoughts To Share...Hopefully Helpful to the Novice GHS'er !

I know that I have said this before way back when and it may be time to say it again....lol.

What you are seeing happen in the NW/Central Louisiana, East Texas and SW Arkansas area being talked about here is very simple to understand and easy to follow if you will keep a few things in mind.

In most all cases, these are not "new" formations that are being drilled. They are formations that have been drilled and produced from for many many years. Some as far back as the original field's discovery.

Most of the productive formations in this area all the way to the "Lower Smackover Brown Dense" have been drilled to with mixed results. Some of these bad results in the early wells where due to lack of technology to deal with what was found at the time the wells were drilled. That same lack of technology is still effecting some of the deeper wells in formations like the  LSBD and Tuscaloosa Shale today. Give this time...it's might still come!!

The fact that technology is still lacking for these formations has not deterred some operators from using new horizontal and completion technology to breath new life into other profitable and productive formations like the Cotton Valley, Travis Peak, Pettit and Rodessa formations that have been long time vertical producers across many parts of the region. 

The trick is finding where this new approach will be effective and where it will not.

That said. A little refresher. Vertical wells only allow the well bore to be exposed to the formation for the vertical thickness of the formation itself. In some cases the entire formation is not productive. Some part of a formation may contain salt water or nothing at all. In some formations the entire formation has some form of productive hydrocarbons. Well logs and core samples tell these secretes from the deep. 

Practical example: A formation is 100 ft thick. If the log and cores show only the bottom 10 feet holds oil or gas then, a vertical well would be completed in the last 10 feet of the pay zone. That ten feet would be all that is exposed to the well bore and thus whatever the porosity (how easy gas or liquids can move through it) of the formation would determine how large an area the well would drain.

In much of the surrounding areas I mentioned at the start, many once productive vertical wells eventually quit producing what was considered an amount of hydrocarbons to make the well economical to keep. Thus they were P&A'ed.  This decline in production in many cases was due to the single vertical well bore had depleted everything within the reach...which depended on the porosity of the formation (either natural or frac induced). With state mandated spacing of wells and just the shear impossibility of putting a well "everywhere"...there is still a lot of oil left out there between the gaps so to speak.

Just a thought...ever tried to drink a thick milkshake through a straw? Remember the hollow spots created in the cup around the straw......lol. How about an Icee? ever have to tamp the cup to get those cavities to close up or re-insert the straw in a different place? What if you had a straw you could steer all around in the cup until it was all gone! LOL!

Today, we have horizontal drilling capabilities of several thousand feet. We have mud motors that can stay within inches of the path they are set on to drill and can steer well beyond the flexibility of the drill stem. One well can expose thousands of feet of formation and within that formation the well bore can be kept within what is known to be the most productive area of the formation.

Take that 100 ft. thick formation I mentioned earlier. Using a mud motor to stay inside the 10 ft pay zone and drill 4,000 ft horizontally into that formation. What do you think happens!!  

All said. When an operator gets it right.....welcome mail box money! LOL

Not every mineral owner will have productive minerals. There are some areas that just don't have and never have had hydrocarbons. However, If you have ever been leased, had productive wells in your area in the past or are currently being solicited to lease....Keep the faith!

I hope this has helped someone out there understand in a little simpler and better way what is going on. Merry Christmas and God Bless!!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by tony allen on December 13, 2013 at 12:36

Thanks, Gatrpaw. I agree and hope more people realize this is more than a one shot play. I remain positive about the LSBD but have listened to Aubrey Sanders and others speak of the many other targets along the state line trend. Hopefully, the Millerton 3D will identify some of those targets and we will see further exploitation of these "depleted fields". Merry Christmas!!

Permalink Reply by Mary Alison Anders on December 13, 2013 at 20:30

Tony,

You always have a positive outlook. 

Thank you!!!

Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year!

Permalink Reply by Mary Alison Anders on December 13, 2013 at 20:25

I am blessed to be part of the LSBD. Thank you Gatrpaw for your analogy's , so true and funny.  I was raised to have faith and a positive attitude.  With everything going on in this world today we should all get on our knees and thank our Holy Maker ( J.C.) for what we have. I also thank my Granddaddy and my Mom .

I wish all a very Merry Christmas and an Energetic, Peaceful, Prosperous and Blessed New Year.

I have patience and faith!!!

Permalink Reply by Cass County Gal on December 17, 2013 at 9:01

Good to know!  Thank you, Gatrpaw!!

Permalink Reply by Aubrey C. Sanders, Jr. on January 1, 2014 at 10:31

Gatrpaw, I have been thinking for several days about posting the following. You have provided me with a good time and place to post this. As always, I enjoy your postings and nearly always agree with you

My comments are tempered by about 70 years of being involved in various capacities in oil business as landowner, geologist and O & G operator in North LA and South AR. I lived in what became North Shongaloo-Red Rock Field.

I am recommending to all members of GHS members that they read the book " The Frackers" by Gregory Zuckerman. ( copyright 2013) You will learn about the determination of the late George Mitchell to perfect fracking and horizontal drilling techniques. WHAT A DEBT WE OWE HIM!! The efforts of many other pioneers are described. You will gain insight into how various companies are operated, including Chesapeake Energy and many others.

This is an easy read. I got my copy for Christmas and I did not want to put it down before I finished reading it. I am certain that anyone reading this book, regardless of age and/or experience can learn valuable information about all aspects of oil and gas business. Rapid technological advances will require efforts to maintain pace with them.

Thank you Gatrpaw!       

Happy New Year to All

P.S.  Perhaps someone can suggest a better placement where all members might see it.

Permalink Reply by jim weyland on January 1, 2014 at 10:58

thank you, sir for the recommendation.

i look forward to reading the book.

Permalink Reply by tony allen on January 2, 2014 at 8:48

Thanks, Mr. Sanders. Ordered it today.

Permalink Reply by Aubrey C. Sanders, Jr. on January 2, 2014 at 12:40

Tony, I knew you would. I wanted to give you a copy and I will exchange copy to you as I want to write personal message for you and Joanne.

I had hoped to reach as many members as possible, but so far you are only second to make acknowledgement. You will have no regret for reading this this book. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Best regards, Aubrey

Permalink Reply by Gatrpaw on January 2, 2014 at 14:29

Mr. Sanders

It has been a while since we have visited. Thanks so much for your nice comments on my thoughts. Thank you for mentioning the book. I will be getting one soon and look forward to reading it. Many thanks!

Permalink Reply by Bobi Carr ("parker") on January 2, 2014 at 15:22

I recommendation by Aubrey and Jay, guess I'll be placing my order as well.

Permalink Reply by dbob on January 2, 2014 at 15:49

I'll order a copy as well

Permalink Reply by 4HTSG on January 11, 2014 at 6:33

Some really good info. I am thinking of printing it out and giving it to those I know who do not have a computer, but have a lot of interest in this. It is simple enough for all to understand.

We have land that is leased that has never had any kind of well that I know of in the history we are familiar with. It now has a well permit. We will see how that goes. We also have land we are living on that had oil wells many, many years ago....in my grandparents' time...and we have had no interest. So this article applies to us in the "keep the faith" area.

Thanks for posting this and I hope more will get an opportunity to read it.

Thanks also to Mr. Sanders for his book recommendation.

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