As one of the newest, largest and therefore hottest shale plays, the Eagle Ford shale has come to prominence in just the last three years. It would seem there must have been a leap in technology, in oil and gas prices or something major to have opened the formation's flood gates.
Instead, it seems a convergence of two older technologies -- horizontal/directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing -- has put Eagle Ford in a class by itself, according to Mark Sundland, drilling manager for Anadarko Petroleum. Sundland is scheduled to speak on this subject at the October DUG (Developing Unconventional Gas) Eagle Ford conference in San Antonio hosted by Hart Energy.
"The technology involved in (horizontal drilling) is not really anything new to us," Sundland stated, adding hydraulic fracturing is not new either, having been around since the late 1940s. "It's applying technology that we use for a different style play and applying it to a new geological setting."
Anadarko itself gained great expertise in horizontal drilling 10 years ago when it purchased Union Pacific Resources, a company recognized for its pioneering work in the procedure. That technology was specifically used to develop the Austin Chalk. "We like to say the Austin Chalk was the world's first resource play," Sundland noted.
The ability to develop resource plays instead of the traditional attack point of reservoir plays laid the groundwork for not just the Eagle Ford, but for all shale plays, according to Sundland.
Source: My West Texas
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