Development of Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania

Abstract

Abstract A review of technologies and practices used for exploration and production of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania is given while shedding light on the entire process of natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania. Entailing drilling and completions operations, production operations and transportation of natural gas tied together with regulation and policy in Pennsylvania. Horizontal drilling technology is used in shale play development along with well stimulation which is also needed to produce economically from these wells. This is achieved through hydraulic fracturing. Water is predominantly used for this but the use of other fluids is also being explored. For the transport of natural gas a network is present in Pennsylvania but gathering stations and other infrastructure needs to be setup. This is not easy in Pennsylvania due to the hilly nature of the region. Most common practices are developed locally as is the case in the Marcellus, with local operators and not the big majors heading the development of the Shale play but even they used techniques applied in the Barnett Shale to great success in the Marcellus Shale which goes to prove that a lot can be gained from other similar plays. The history of this region in producing natural gas is more than a hundred years old and so a lot has done in this region with regards to experimentation and technology additions in producing natural gas. Apart from producing and transportation of natural gas, another important aspect is regulation and policy which is strict when it comes to Pennsylvania. Along with this it would be beneficial for companies to develop good relations with residents in the area as these wells typically produce for long periods of time. Typical land restoration projects are now mandatory which all adds upto a higher overall cost of energy. To summarize all the factors needed to produce natural gas in this region economically and safely with leaving as small as a footprint as possible is explored.