Natural gas potential of the New Albany shale group (Devonian-Mississippian) in southeastern Illinois
- Resource Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Source
- SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States); 22:2
- Subject
- 03 NATURAL GAS ILLINOIS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
EXPLORATION
DEVONIAN PERIOD
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
MISSISSIPPIAN PERIOD
SHALES
COMMINUTION
FEDERAL REGION V
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOZOIC ERA
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USA 030200* -- Natural Gas-- Reserves, Geology, & Exploration
- Language
- English
Data from geologic and geochemical studies of the New Albany shale group indicate that a 19-country area of southeastern Illinois is a favorable area to explore for gas in Devonian shale. Although gas shows in the shales have been encountered in several wells drilled in this area, no attempts were made to complete or evaluate a shale gas well until 1979. It is found that conventional rotary drilling with mud base drilling fluids likely causes extensive formation damage and may account for the paucity of gas shows and completion attempts in the Devonian shales; therefore, commercial production of shale gas in Illinois probably will require novel drilling completion techniques not commonly used by local operators. 16 refs.