CNX Gas Corporation says that its first horizontal Marcellus Shale well is now producing at a rate of 6.5 million cubic feet (MMcf) per day. This is a record daily production rate for any well in the company’s history and is believed to be among the highest reported by any Marcellus Shale producer.

The well, located in Greene County, Pa., began flowing into the sales meter on October 2, with an initial production rate of 1.2 MMcf per day and 4,000 pounds of backpressure, as previously reported. The backpressure on the well had been gradually reduced since then, allowing daily production to increase to about 4 MMcf per day until Friday, when the installation of new surface equipment enabled the well to flow at the 6.5 MMcf per day rate, with pressure still being held at 2,640 pounds. Cumulative production from the well prior to last Friday was 106 MMcf.

Nicholas J. DeIuliis, president and chief executive officer, said, “This was a team effort from our engineers, operators, and support personnel, including the directional drillers from Scientific Drilling and the hydraulic fracturing team from BJ Services. I can’t speak highly enough of our Marcellus Shale team.

“To achieve this kind of success with our first horizontal Marcellus Shale well,” Mr. DeIuliis continued, “speaks volumes about the breadth of our horizontal drilling expertise. Many investors may not be aware, but CNX Gas had drilled 160 horizontal coalbed methane wells before drilling its first horizontal Marcellus Shale well.”

The well was drilled to a vertical depth of 8,140 feet in the Huntersville Chert, penetrating 83 vertical feet of Marcellus Shale. The well was logged then plugged back and a horizontal section of 3,395 feet was cut for a total measured depth of 10,738 feet. The well was completed with a five-stage slickwater fracture treatment using 3 million pounds of proppant.

CNX Gas has a 100% working interest in the well and a 100% net revenue interest because CNX Gas does not pay a royalty to the surface owner. Because of the gathering infrastructure already in place from its CBM operations, CNX Gas was able to place the well online immediately after retrieving frac fluids. Also, gas from production in southwestern Pennsylvania, as in other areas of Appalachia, typically receives a premium over NYMEX pricing.

Tags: CNX Gas Corporation