Natural Gas Developmentin Central New Yorkin Central New York

Bruce SelleckDepartment of Geology

Colgate Universitybselleck@colgate.edubselleck@colgate.edu

http://offices.colgate.edu/bselleck/NatGas.htm

Gas and Oil Fields in Central and Western New Yorkcirca 1980 2009

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(NYSERDA)

This map depicts the distribution of gas and oil fields in New York State in 1980. Virtually all of the historicaldevelopment has been in the western part of the state. No oil has been recovered from wells east of theFinger Lakes region, but there is considerable potential for natural gas.

All of the oil and gas in New York is found in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks which were deposited from 520 to 300 million years ago. Most of these rocks were laid down in a sedimentary basin - the Appalachian Basin– that stretched across eastern north America from Nova Scotia to Alabama.

What is ‘natural gas”?

‘Hydrocarbons’ are C-H compounds with C-H and C-C bonds.

Breaking of these bonds by oxidation (combustion) releases heat energy

Most common petroleum and gas hydrocarbons are alkanes, with the general formula - CnH2n+2

Natural gas has the lowest carbon footprint of any fossil fuel –

and is made up mostly of methane - CH4,

with some ethane – C2H6, propane - C3H8 and butane - C4H10

‘Heavier’ alkanes - pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, etc - are liquid at surface temperatures and pressures

Liquid petroleum is a mixture of C to C alkanes plus aromatics (e g benzene) and alkenesLiquid petroleum is a mixture of C5 to C30 alkanes, plus aromatics (e.g. benzene) and alkenes

Methane is also produced by a variety of biological processes at the earth’s surface

methane from surface biological systems is rarely accompanied by ethane, propane or butane

methane from biological systems can be distinguished from petroleum system methane

Petroleum system natural gas may contain minor liquid hydrocarbons (wet gas with condensate)

Dry gas systems are most common in Central New York

Brine (formation water) is produced from most natural gas wells

Summary of Natural Gas Production in NYS and Chenango County – 2009 (DEC Data)

The common unit of measure for natural gas is the MCF

1 MCF = 1000 cubic feet of gas at surface temperature and pressure. This is approximatelyequal to 1,000,000 BTU of heat

1 Therm = 100,000 BTU --- 1 MCF is approximately 1000 Therm

A typical residence in the NE US consumes ~73 MCF for domestic heating in one year

New York State in 2009:

NYS consumed 1,190,341,000 MCF of natural gas NYS produced 50,320,077 MCF of natural gas = 4.2% of consumption

7790 natural gas wells in NY had production reported

the top 100 producing wells accounted for 70% of NYS production

76 of the top 100 wells produced gas from the Trenton-Black River reservoir system

other producing formations in the top 100 – Theresa (5 wells); Oneida (5); Herkimer (4)

Chenango County in 2009:

C ( $ f $ / C )1,599,331 MCF (=~ $8,240,000 at January 2009 wellhead price of $5.15/MCF)

41 wells – top producer at ~687,000 MCF is a Herkimer well

Subsurface exploration prior to drilling depends on seismic data.Modern seismic exploration technology allows developers to preciselytarget the highest-quality portions of reservoir formations. Grids ofseismic data are used to construct 3-D subsurface seismic sections.

The map on the left shows routes for Vibroseisexploration in the towns of Lebanon, Smyrna and Plymouth

2-D Seismic section (not from the Lebanon area)

http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/2292/S278_1_022i.jpg

Well logs are prepared during and immediately after drilling. The ‘log’may consist of a number of remotely sensed parameters (density, gammaray neutron) and a lithologic log prepared from well cuttings or more rarelyray, neutron) and a lithologic log prepared from well cuttings or, more rarely, from cores. Well logs are used to characterize reservoirs, determine thegeometry of ‘pay zones’ and direct further exploration and development. Welllog data and well cuttings are available from the New York State Museum.

White Eagle-1 – Hill Road, Town of Eaton

Drilling of a gas well requires constructionof a drilling pad and access roads, and movingin and out of heavy equipment Development

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in and out of heavy equipment. Developmentof the well may involve installation of casing andcement sheath, and treatment of the producingformation to increase gas flow into the well. The above-ground equipment is not visuallyobtrusive; pipelines, valves and compressorobtrusive; pipelines, valves and compressorfacilities pose some safety risk. Properlydesigned and maintained wells do not offersignificant environmental hazard.

Symonds Farm Lebanon Road

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/99-029f3.gif

Symonds Farm, Lebanon RoadApril 16, 2007

Rock strata in central New York dip gently to thesouthwest. This cross-section exaggerates thedip and shows the sedimentary units and their ages The oldest rocks in New York are theages. The oldest rocks in New York are the1.1 billion year old metamorphic and igneous rocksof the Adirondacks. These ancient rocks contain nooil or gas, but host deposits of metals ores foriron, titanium, lead and zinc, and useful minerals like talc,wollastonite and garnet.

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The red pattern indicates rock units that may serve asreservoir beds in central and western New York.

SW

NEAppalachian Plateau

Mohawk Valley

Adirondacks

Proterozoic (1.1 billion years old) Grenville ProvinceBasement

Bruce Selleck 4/5/07

Utica Shale Outcrop Belt

2 m

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Utica Shale outcrop near Vanhornesville,, NY

Utica Shale Gas Potential

Subsurface Utica Shale at reasonable reservoir depths

SUtica Shalehigh probability fairway

Herkimer Sandstone Outcrop BeltHerkimer Sandstone Outcrop Belt

Most gas wells in Madison County tap reservoirs in the Oswego/Oneida/Herkimer sandstones. The Utica Shale that underliesthe sandstone may be source bed for the gas. Minor fold structuresin the sandstone help to trap the gas. Wells in the Town of L b tl b i d l d i h i t l d illi i tLebanon are currently being developed using horizontal drilling intonaturally fractured zones in the Herkimer Sandstone. The overlyingIlion Shale forms a seal on the reservoir sandstone.Wells are typically 2500-4000’ deep.

Deeper wells (greater than 10 000 feet) in the eastern FingerDeeper wells (greater than 10,000 feet) in the eastern FingerLakes region have encountered large reservoirs in the Trenton-BlackRiver Group trend. Trenton-Black River discoveries are relatedto deep fault structures and have proven difficult to locate, but veryprofitable when exploited.

Hamilton Group

Genesee Groupfreshwateraquifer

Hamilton Group

Onondaga LimestoneHelderberg Group

Cobleskill Limestone

Syracuse FormationSyracuse Formation

Ilion ShaleVernon Shale

Oneida Conglomerate

Utica Shalepinch-out of Oswego SandstoneUtica Shale g

Bruce Selleck 2/25/2010Schematic model of a horizontal well in the Lebanon Natural Gas Field

Herkimer Sandstone outcrop near Jordanville,, NY

Herkimer Sandstone fairwayy

Horizontal Well in Herkimer SandstoneTown of Lebanon Madison CountyTown of Lebanon, Madison County

Onondaga

Marcellus

Helderberg

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Syracuse

Camillus

De

Vernon

Syracuse

Lockport

Willowvale

Lockport

Herkimer SS

S OMarcellus Shale Outcrop Belt

2 m

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Marcellus Shale outcrop near Chittenango, NY

Subsurface Marcellus Shale at reasonable reservoir depths.

SMarcellus Shale Gas Potential

Marcellus Shalehigh probability fairway

Marcellus Shale Gas Potential

Natural gas production in Chenango County isalmost entirely from the Oswego Sandstone-Herkimer Sandstone-Oneida Conglomerate interval.

While there has been much speculation about theWhile there has been much speculation about thepotential for natural gas development from the Marcellus Shale, the most likely areas for development are where the Marcellus is at depths great enough (>1500 feet) to assure reasonableformation pressure and reservoir integrity.g y

The map on the left shows areas in southern Madisonand Chenango County where the Marcellus Shaleunit lies at depths great enough (red color contours)for likely development. Areas with green contoursh M ll Sh l t d th l th 1500 f thave Marcellus Shale at depths less than 1500 feet.

The Utica Shale, another potential shale gas target,underlies all of Madison and Chenango County. TheUtica Shale potential may exceed that of the Marcellus in Chenango Countyin Chenango County.

Gas Wells and Watershed BoundariesMadison and Chenango Counties, New York

Data from NYSDECData from NYSDECBruce Selleck, Colgate University

1/7/2010

Well StatusKey

Active, producingPermit issued yPermit issuedUnder developmentPermit pendingInactive, plugged, abandoned

.

Cross-section illustrates the schematic subsurface distribution of the Utica Shale,Herkimer Sandstone and Marcellus Shale.

NEM h k V ll

SW

NEAppalachian Plateau

Mohawk Valley

Adirondacks

Proterozoic (1.1 billion years old) Grenville ProvinceBasement

Bruce Selleck 8/18/09

Marcellus and Utica Shale Development – Why the controversy?

Development of high‐yield shale wells that are economic requireshorizontal drilling and hydrofracturing.

Hydrofracturing has been used for decades to increase gas, oilfl f i h f i Th i lor water flows from tight formations.  The process involves 

isolation of the target formation after the well is drilled, placementof downhole equipment, high‐pressure pumping of fracture fluid, andsubsequent flowback and well cleanoutsubsequent flowback and well cleanout.

Horizontal drilling has also been used widely, and is currently used inMadison and Chenango Counties for Herkimer Sandstone wellMadison and Chenango Counties for Herkimer Sandstone well development.

Horizontal drilling and hydrofracturing has been used in coalbed methaneg y gwells in Wyoming and other states, and has been implicated asa source of groundwater contamination

Horizontal drilling and hydrofracturing of shale wells in NYS are currentlynot permitted.  The NYSDEC has issued a final draft of the SGEIS guidelinesthat will guide the permitting process for shale gas development.  Bill supporting

t i hi h l h d f t i d th NYS S t i A t

Explanation

Marcellus ShalePlay Area

Geophysical Logm

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Marcellus Stratigraphy

Oatka Creek

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Cherry Valley

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Union Springs

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Lash and Engelder, 2009

Horizontal Drilling

• First horizontal well was drilled in 1948

• First horizontal shale gas well was drilledFirst horizontal shale gas well was drilledin 1988 in the Antrim Shale, Michigan

• First horizontal gas well in New York was drilled in 1989

Hydraulic FracturingHydraulic Fracturing

• First hydraulic fracturing of oil & gas well was in 1948

• Medina Sandstone, a tight gas reservoir, was extensivelyfracked in western New York during the 1970s

Horizontal Drillingt M lti W ll P d Sit i Bl k Sh l

Marcellus Shale Gas Development

at Multi-Well Pad Sites in Black Shale

ft50

0 –

7,00

0 f

3,5

4,000 ft

M lti Well Drilling Pad SiteMulti-Well Drilling Pad SiteWith Six Horizontal Legs

Horizontal LegHorizontal Leg

Minimizes surface disturbance butMinimizes surface disturbance but concentrates industrial activity

Meyer (2009)

Mi i i M it i f H d li F t iMicroseismic Monitoring of Hydraulic Fracturing

http://www.propublica.org/special/hydraulic‐fracturing

Environmental Concerns – High Volume Hydrofracturing – (what to worry about, and what not)

Important issues:

Well cementing and completion – a major issue, like all otheroil and gas wells (and water wells, too)

Road damage, access, surface disruption, agricultural land reclamation, stormwaterg , , p , g ,

Materials handling at the surface – high concentrations of potentially hazardous materials

Handling of flowback water – treatment and disposal

Lesser concerns:

Water supply – sounds impressive (millions of gallons) but not a big issue

The hydrofracturing process itself

Naturally-occurring radioactivity from cuttings and flowback water

Metal sulfide leachate from well cuttings

Production brine handling and disposal

Gas pipelines and compressor stations

Marcellus or Utica horizontal wells with hydrofracturing

Highlights of new permit requirements in proposed NYSDECHighlights of new permit requirements in proposed NYSDEC SGEIS:

Planning and local coordinationPlanning and local coordinationEMO’s, fire departmentsNoise and visual impacts mitigationTesting of water wells pre- and post-drilling

Site preparation and maintenanceStorm water controlFuel and other chemical storageFuel and other chemical storage

Drilling, stimulation and flowbackCasing and cementingg gHydrofracturingSteel containment for flowback water (not open pits)

ReclamationLimit of 45 days on open pits for drilling fluidsSite restoration plan

What’s next for Madison and Chenango Counties?

NYSDEC GEIS id liNYSDEC GEIS guidelinesCurrently in comment period Moratorium passes NYS Senate in August, 2010EPA review underwayEPA review underwayRegulations issued – mid-2011? - possible legal challenges?Permitting of Marcellus horizontals – late 2011?

Drilling activity will depend on price recovery – some wells now being shut inHorizontal development Herkimer may attract other playersNew federal statues regulating shale gas development are unlikelyUS EPA will play a larger role in water quality monitoring

in shale gas development areas following reviewContinued exploration for new Trenton-Black River fieldsU i Sh l ill iUtica Shale tests will continue

Land coalitions will play a role in leasing activity, but fragile and subject to cherry picking as Marcellus and other plays become more matureto cherry-picking as Marcellus and other plays become more mature

Local governments must continue to be informed and prepared

Energy development planning for local municipalities

Provide informationo de o at oLeasing activity – data, maps, analysisDevelopment trends – data, maps, analysisEnvironmental awareness – empowering the community Legal framework – education and access to informationCommunication strategies – cost, effectiveness, responsibility

P f ti i tPrepare for negative impactsRoad impact management - bonding, posting , driveway accessCommunication with developers and EMO’sHazard planning and management responsible agenciesHazard planning and management – responsible agenciesEnvironmental impact planning – liaison with NYSDECEnvironmental and public health mitigation - DOH

Promote economic developmentRegular and effective communication with developersEncourage distribution systemsg ySupport for new business that make use of NGStrategic planning for a transitional energy economy

Other issues on the horizon:

Natural gas storage in depleted wellsNatural gas storage in depleted wells

Carbon sequestration in depleted gas reservoirs

Disposal injection of brine or drilling fluids

Compressed air storage in depleted gas reservoirs

Shutting-in of depleted wells

Pi li i f i d iPipeline infrastructure expansion and maintenance