USING GAS PRODUCTION AND PRODUCED WATER TRENDS TO EXPLORE MARCELLUS SHALE DEVELOPMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA

Since the start of the shale gas boom in Pennsylvania, there has been considerable debate regarding both the volume of recoverable gas and produced water associated with the Marcellus shale and other domestic hydrocarbon-bearing shale formations. PADEP’s Bureau of Oil and Gas Planning and Program Management has tallied the cumulative and routine gas production data for all shale gas wells that have been reporting production since 2005. The production data were downloaded and subsequently analyzed to determine when the wells first came on-line in order to allow new well production to be distinguished from existing well production. This analysis assists in determining if more recent drilling and stimulation practices are increasing gas yields at individual wells.

Produced water trends were also assessed for a subset of the wells in order to develop a predictive tool for informing future waste management practices. As the field matures, drilling rates will slow, but it is anticipated that produced water volumes will continue to increase. A reduction in drilling renders the recycling option less viable, making it important to consider alternatives for waters known to contain very high dissolved solids, including barium, in addition to radionuclides. Data were mapped using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to develop a model for better understanding shale gas development in Pennsylvania.