American Oil and Gas Reporter - August 2016 - 48

SpecialReport: Horizontal & Innovative Drilling
FIGURE 6A
Drilling KPIs for Curve and Lateral Sections
(Pad 1 versus Average Offset Pad 2 Wells)
16,000

350

14,000

300
250

10,000
200
8,000
150
6,000

ROP (ft/hr)

Footage Drilled

12,000

100

4,000

50

2,000
0

0
Avg Pad 2 - NW Well 1D ST1

Well 1E

Footage Curve

Well 1F

Well 1A

Well 1B

Footage Lateral

ROP Curve

Wells Southeast Direction

Well 1C

Well 1J

Well 1l

ROP Lateral
Wells Norhtwest Direction

FIGURE 6B
Drilling and Reservoir Navigation KPIs
(Pad 1 versus Average Offset Pad 2 Wells)
16,000

120
100

12,000
80

10,000
8,000

60

1 Mile = 5,280 ft

6,000

40

% in Target Zone

Footage Drilled & Feet/d

14,000

4,000
20

2,000
0

0
Avg Pad 2 - NW

Well 1D ST1

Well 1E

Total Footage

Well 1F

Well 1A

Feet/day (Drilling)

Wells Southeast Direction

ownership and add to the team's motivation and commitment. Establishing the best
combination of drilling parameters with
steering commands using real-time mon-

Well 1B

Well 1C

Well 1J

Well 1l

In Target Zone

Wells Norhtwest Direction

itoring drove the successful results on Pad
1 wells.
Because this was a new drilling area for
CONSOL Energy, a conservative ap-

proach was taken in developing the drilling
parameter road map (weight on bit, rpm,
flow rate, etc.). Incremental adjustments
were made after each dull bit analysis
along with overall performance metrics
(drilling dynamics, ROP, in-target percentage, etc.). While drilling the curve sections,
an increase in bit rpm combined with proper steer force resulted in higher BURs and
ROP. Near-bit inclination was used to project ahead and quickly determine BURs.
Among the benefits of HBRSS technology, three capabilities were crucial to horizontal drilling: distinguishing the gamma
ray readings above and below the tool,
holding a specific target inclination, and
obtaining additional tool-specific data
for azimuth control.
The Marcellus Shale has distinct gamma ray readings throughout the formation,
and the large contrast facilitates easier lateral navigation. Once landed, the HBRSS
system was set to automatically steer to a
desired target inclination. The command
was downlinked through small mud flow
variations and decoded by the downhole
tool, which then applied the right amount
of force to hold angle, minimizing wellbore tortuosity. This automated downhole
system is essential in geosteering Marcellus wells, where the sweet spot often is a
narrow window influenced by quick bed
dip changes.
Another important factor was reducing
connection times. The rig crew was motivated to drill the equivalent of one mile in
24 hours. Survey time was optimized us-

CONSOL Commences Production On PIT Project
PITTSBURGH, PA.-On July 18, officials from Allegheny County, the Allegheny County Airport Authority
(ACAA), and CONSOL Energy announced first natural gas production
from the first pad drilled and completed
on the grounds of the Pittsburgh International Airport.
All six horizontal wells on Pad 2-the
first of six planned pads with up to 45
wells at PIT-were turned online and
flowing produced gas into the MarkWest
midstream infrastructure system that
was constructed for the project, according to the officials.
Allegheny County Executive Rich
Fitzgerald said commencing production
at PIT marked a critical "next phase" of
the gas exploration, development and production partnership expected to continue
48 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER

through 2018, and bring hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development
activity to the region.
"We were thrilled to have the opportunity to explore this public/private partnership two years ago following an extensive public process. Today, we are celebrating the benefits of it as we see our airport benefitting from reduced costs and
increased service," Fitzgerald stated.
"Our region, as a whole, will continue to
benefit with the start of production."
Christina Cassotis, ACAA chief executive officer, said ACAA received a $46
million upfront payment as part of the
deal and will receive 18 percent royalties
on the produced gas, providing a critical
non-aviation revenue stream to help reduce fees to airlines.
"Since the initial lease was signed and

the upfront payment received, we have reduced fees to airlines to their lowest rates
in eight years," Cassotis reported. "Innovative partnerships like this with a local,
world-class company like CONSOL are
key in helping attract air service."
CONSOL Energy was awarded the
lease right to 9,200 acres at PIT in February 2013, noted Tim Dugan, the company's chief operating officer. "We are
very proud to have been selected to develop this flagship project," Dugan said.
"CONSOL takes our responsibility in
terms of safety and protecting the environment very seriously. These are the core
values that we live by each and every day,
and these are the values which will continue to guide us as we move forward with
this important project."
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American Oil and Gas Reporter - August 2016

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