Assessing the Petroleum Geology and Future Development of the Clendenin Gas Field in Kanawha County, West Virginia

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Jonathan Prevatte (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Petroleum is one of the main sources for energy production in the US and is therefore important for the continuation of economic growth. Future development of petroleum resources in the US to meet supply demands is equally important. Understanding the controls on petroleum production will help in determining where and how to development these resources for maximum production. West Virginia is home to many gas fields and is underlain by one of the more prominent gas producing shales, the Marcellus Shale. The Clendenin Gas Field in Kanawha County is one of the historical gas producing areas found in West Virginia. This assessment is focused on the Devonian strata throughout the field including the Marcellus Shale. Using available geophysical logs, production data, and historic well records obtained from the West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey (WVGES), cross-sections, isopach maps, and structure contour maps were created to give a visual representation of the subsurface geology across the field. Construction of the cross-sections and maps in conjunction with production and well record data aided in the identification of controls influencing production throughout the field. Applying the findings of this assessment to future production may reduce costs and improve yields of future petroleum wells. Results of this study indicate several options should be considered when planning for future production wells within the field. Target areas include the areas to the east of the field where formations tend to thicken. Areas nearest fault zones and anticlines, where the formations potentially have more fractured and fissured zones which may allow for easier extraction were also noted as potential development sites. The Marcellus Shale is a recommended target for future production based on the amount of production recorded from non-Marcellus containing wells, which produced on average half of what wells produced from the Marcellus Shale. Lastly, all wells within the study areas were recorded as being vertical wells. Horizontal wells in neighboring counties produce nearly double the amount of gas compared to shallower units, according to data from the WVGES Pipeline reporting system. It is recommended that horizontal well construction be considered for future wells within this field.

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Language: English

Date: 2020

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