The Barnett Shale Play of North Texas - Points to Ponder in 2007
LaFollette, Randal F.
BJ Services Company, Tomball, TX
The Barnett Shale of the Fort Worth Basin is a play with a long
history of experimentation, success, and failure. From drilling of the
first well in the play in 1981, through April 5, 2007, over 6,500
vertical, deviated, or horizontal Barnett tests or producers have been
drilled. Over that time period, vertical wells predominated for 20
years or more, and were then supplanted by horizontal well drilling
technology.
Study of public data pertaining to the North Texas Barnett play
indicates that there is no simple, one-size-fits-all recipe for success in
the Barnett. There are different reasons for Barnett successes and
failures in different parts of the play. Technologies used successfully
in one area may fail miserably in another. Barnett successes and
failures result from the intersection of reservoir quality, well
architecture, geohazards, completion, and stimulation processes.
Reservoir quality and geohazards vary according to geographic
position. Barnett production patterns analyzed using GIS methods
show clear evidence of sweet, and not-so-sweet spots. Frac barriers,
hydrocarbon liquids, and water all have their effects of Barnett
production. Well architecture can be the difference between
completing a better or poorer Barnett well. Different well completion
and stimulation types have been attempted throughout the history of
the Barnett play.
Over time, two technologies have been critical to Barnett
success; horizontal drilling and slick water fracturing. Two other
technologies that may prove to be beneficial going forward are
simultaneous fracturing of horizontal wells, or simo-fracs, and ultralight
weight proppants.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90071 © 2007 AAPG Rocky Mountain Meeting, Snowbird, Utah