U.S. Geological Survey OpenU.S. Geological Survey Open--File Report 2005File Report 2005--12681268

Published 2005Published 2005Online OnlyOnline OnlyVersion 1.0Version 1.0

Assessment of Undiscovered Natural Gas Resources in Devonian BlaAssessment of Undiscovered Natural Gas Resources in Devonian Black Shales, ck Shales, Appalachian Basin, Eastern U.S.A.Appalachian Basin, Eastern U.S.A.

by Robert C. Miliciby Robert C. Milici

What do we Assess?What do we Assess?

Technically recoverable undiscovered Technically recoverable undiscovered hydrocarbon resources hydrocarbon resources ––

oil, natural gas, natural gas liquidsoil, natural gas, natural gas liquids

The Devonian Shale The Devonian Shale -- Middle and Middle and Upper Paleozoic TPS Upper Paleozoic TPS

Conventional Oil and Gas ResourcesConventional Oil and Gas ResourcesAccumulations in structural, stratigraphic, Accumulations in structural, stratigraphic, combination traps.combination traps.

Segregation of fluids within reservoirs (Water, Segregation of fluids within reservoirs (Water, oil, gas cap)oil, gas cap)

The Devonian Shale The Devonian Shale -- Middle and Middle and Upper Paleozoic TPSUpper Paleozoic TPS

Continuous (unconventional) resourcesContinuous (unconventional) resourcesBlanketBlanket--like accumulations, commonly with like accumulations, commonly with multimulti--storied reservoirs.storied reservoirs.

Coalbed methane, Radioactive black shales, Coalbed methane, Radioactive black shales, tight sandstones tight sandstones --

How do we do it?How do we do it?

Conventional:Conventional: Estimate numbers and sizes Estimate numbers and sizes of undiscovered fields of undiscovered fields –– maximum, maximum, median, minimum, most likely.median, minimum, most likely.

Continuous (unconventional):Continuous (unconventional): Estimate Estimate numbers of untested cells (40 acres, 80 numbers of untested cells (40 acres, 80 acres, etc.) and the range of the acres, etc.) and the range of the cumulative production from each cell cumulative production from each cell (max, min, median, mean).(max, min, median, mean).

The Devonian ShaleThe Devonian Shale--Middle and Middle and Upper Paleozoic TPS (Cont.)Upper Paleozoic TPS (Cont.)

Continuous Oil and Gas ResourcesContinuous Oil and Gas ResourcesNorthwestern Ohio Shale (NWOS) AUNorthwestern Ohio Shale (NWOS) AUGreater Big Sandy (GBS) AUGreater Big Sandy (GBS) AUDevonian Siltstone And Shale (DSS) AUDevonian Siltstone And Shale (DSS) AUMarcellus Shale AUMarcellus Shale AUCatskill Sandstones and Siltstones AUCatskill Sandstones and Siltstones AUBerea Sandstone AUBerea Sandstone AU

The Drake Well: Where it all beganThe Drake Well: Where it all began

W

E

Acadian Orogeny

Taconic Orogeny

IapetanEvent

CARTOONOGRAPH ACROSS APPALACHIAN BASIN,ILLUSTRATING MAJOR PETROLEUM SYSTEMS

ImpureSandstone

Sandstone

Siltstone Black Shale

Shale Red beds Limestone Dolomite

The Devonian ShaleThe Devonian Shale--Middle and Upper Middle and Upper Paleozoic TPS Paleozoic TPS

Extent and thickness of Devonian rocks in the Extent and thickness of Devonian rocks in the Appalachian basinAppalachian basin

(adapted from deWitt and others,1975)(adapted from deWitt and others,1975)

12,000 ft

25 feet

Catskill Catskill MagnafaciesMagnafacies(adapted from Harper, 1999)(adapted from Harper, 1999)

Extent of Devonian Shale in Eastern U.S. Extent of Devonian Shale in Eastern U.S. ––Section ASection A--AA’’ (Oliver and others, 1967)(Oliver and others, 1967)

Cross Section A Cross Section A -- AA’’(de Witt and others, 1975)(de Witt and others, 1975) A’A

Oil in Devonian Shale and Oriskany Oil in Devonian Shale and Oriskany SandstoneSandstone

Devonian shale assessment units, showing Devonian shale assessment units, showing net thickness of radioactive shalenet thickness of radioactive shale

Greater Big Sandy AUGreater Big Sandy AU

CrossCross--Section B Section B -- BB’’(deWitt and others, 1993)(deWitt and others, 1993)

Devonian Shale Thickness Devonian Shale Thickness (deWitt and others, 1993)(deWitt and others, 1993)

Cross Section G Cross Section G -- GG’’(deWitt and others, 1993)(deWitt and others, 1993)

Relation of NWOS to Regional StructureRelation of NWOS to Regional Structure

Devonian Siltstone and Shale AUDevonian Siltstone and Shale AU

Regional Decollement and FoldsRegional Decollement and Folds

Marcellus ShaleMarcellus Shale

EUR distribution: Greater Big Sandy AU by thirdsEUR distribution: Greater Big Sandy AU by thirds

EUR distribution: NWOS AU byEUR distribution: NWOS AU by thirdsthirds

EUR distribution: DSS by ThirdsEUR distribution: DSS by Thirds

Undiscovered ResourcesUndiscovered Resources

Per Well Estimates of Technically Per Well Estimates of Technically Recoverable Gas (DOE EGSP)Recoverable Gas (DOE EGSP)

Selected ReferencesSelected ReferencesBoswell, Ray, 1996, Play Boswell, Ray, 1996, Play UDsUDs: Upper Devonian black shales, : Upper Devonian black shales, inin Roen, J.B., and Walker, B.J., 1996, The Atlas of Major AppalachRoen, J.B., and Walker, B.J., 1996, The Atlas of Major Appalachian Gas Plays: West ian Gas Plays: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Publication VVirginia Geological and Economic Survey Publication V--25, p. 9325, p. 93--99.99.

Colton, G.W., 1970, The Valley and Ridge and Appalachian PlateauColton, G.W., 1970, The Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateau; stratigraphy and sedimentation; the Appalachian basin; its dep; stratigraphy and sedimentation; the Appalachian basin; its depositional sequences ositional sequences and their geologic relationships, and their geologic relationships, inin Fisher, George W., Fisher, George W., PettijohnPettijohn, F.J., and Reed, J. C., Jr., Studies of Appalachian Geology, Ce, F.J., and Reed, J. C., Jr., Studies of Appalachian Geology, Central and Southern: ntral and Southern: InterscienceInterscience Publishers, New York, N.Y., p. 5Publishers, New York, N.Y., p. 5--47.47.

Charpentier, R.R., deWitt, Wallace, Claypool, G.E., Harris, L.D.Charpentier, R.R., deWitt, Wallace, Claypool, G.E., Harris, L.D., Mast, R.F., , Mast, R.F., MegeathMegeath, J.D., Roen, J.B., and Schmoker, J.W., 1993, Estimates of , J.D., Roen, J.B., and Schmoker, J.W., 1993, Estimates of unconventional natural gas resources of the Devonian shales of tunconventional natural gas resources of the Devonian shales of the Appalachian basin, he Appalachian basin, inin Roen, J.B., and Kepferle, R.C., 1993, Petroleum geology of the Roen, J.B., and Kepferle, R.C., 1993, Petroleum geology of the Devonian and Mississippian black shale of eastern North America:Devonian and Mississippian black shale of eastern North America: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1909B, p. N1U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1909B, p. N1--N 20. N 20.

deWitt, Wallace, Jr., Perry, W.J., Jr., and Wallace, L.G., 1975,deWitt, Wallace, Jr., Perry, W.J., Jr., and Wallace, L.G., 1975, Oil and gas data from Devonian and Silurian rocks in the AppalaOil and gas data from Devonian and Silurian rocks in the Appalachian basin: U.S. chian basin: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map IGeological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I--917 B, scale: 1:2,500,000.917 B, scale: 1:2,500,000.

deWitt, Wallace, Jr., Roen, J.B., and Wallace, L. G., 1993, StradeWitt, Wallace, Jr., Roen, J.B., and Wallace, L. G., 1993, Stratigraphy of Devonian black shales and associated rocks in the Aptigraphy of Devonian black shales and associated rocks in the Appalachian basin, palachian basin, inin Roen, Roen, J.B., and Kepferle, R.C., 1993, Petroleum geology of the DevoniaJ.B., and Kepferle, R.C., 1993, Petroleum geology of the Devonian and Mississippian black shale of eastern North America: U.S. Gn and Mississippian black shale of eastern North America: U.S. Geological Survey eological Survey Bulletin 1909B, p. B1Bulletin 1909B, p. B1--B57.B57.

FaillFaill, R.T., 1997a, A geologic history of the north, R.T., 1997a, A geologic history of the north--central Appalachians, part 1. central Appalachians, part 1. OrogenesisOrogenesis from the from the mesoproterozoicmesoproterozoic through the Taconic orogeny: through the Taconic orogeny: American Journal of Science, v. 297. p. 551American Journal of Science, v. 297. p. 551--619.619.

FaillFaill, R.T., 1997b, A geologic history of the north, R.T., 1997b, A geologic history of the north--central Appalachians, part 2. The Appalachian basin from the Sicentral Appalachians, part 2. The Appalachian basin from the Silurian through the Carboniferous: lurian through the Carboniferous: American Journal of Science, v. 297. p. 729American Journal of Science, v. 297. p. 729--761.761.

Frey, M. G., 1973, Influence of Salina salt on structure in New Frey, M. G., 1973, Influence of Salina salt on structure in New YorkYork--Pennsylvania part of the Appalachian Plateau: American AssociatiPennsylvania part of the Appalachian Plateau: American Association of Petroleum on of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 57, no. 6, p. 1027Geologists Bulletin, v. 57, no. 6, p. 1027--1037.1037.

Harper, J.A., 1999, Chapter 7, Devonian, Harper, J.A., 1999, Chapter 7, Devonian, inin Schultz, C.H., ed., The Geology of Pennsylvania, p. 129Schultz, C.H., ed., The Geology of Pennsylvania, p. 129--137.137.

Kuuskraa, V.A., and Wicks, D. E., 1984, Technically recoverable Kuuskraa, V.A., and Wicks, D. E., 1984, Technically recoverable Devonian Shale gas in West Virginia: U.S. Department of Energy Devonian Shale gas in West Virginia: U.S. Department of Energy Morgantown Energy Technology Center DOE/MC/19239Morgantown Energy Technology Center DOE/MC/19239--1750 (DE85003367), 119 p. 1750 (DE85003367), 119 p.

Kuuskraa, V.A., Sedwick, K.B., Thompson, K.B., and Wicks, D. E.,Kuuskraa, V.A., Sedwick, K.B., Thompson, K.B., and Wicks, D. E., 1985, Technically recoverable Devonian Shale gas in Kentucky: 1985, Technically recoverable Devonian Shale gas in Kentucky: U.S. U.S. Department of Energy Morgantown Energy Technology Center DOE/MC/Department of Energy Morgantown Energy Technology Center DOE/MC/1923919239--1834 (DE85008608), 120 p. 1834 (DE85008608), 120 p.

Lewin and Associates, Inc., 1983, Technically recoverable DevoniLewin and Associates, Inc., 1983, Technically recoverable Devonian Shale gas in Ohio: U.S. Department of Energy Morgantown Eneran Shale gas in Ohio: U.S. Department of Energy Morgantown Energy gy Technology Center DOE/MC/19239Technology Center DOE/MC/19239--1525 (DE84003057), 101 p. 1525 (DE84003057), 101 p.

LundegardLundegard, P.D., Samuels, N.D., and Pryor, W. D., 1985, Upper Devonian , P.D., Samuels, N.D., and Pryor, W. D., 1985, Upper Devonian turbiditeturbidite sequence, central and southern Appalachian basin: sequence, central and southern Appalachian basin: contrasts with submarine fan deposits, contrasts with submarine fan deposits, inin Woodrow and Woodrow and SevonSevon, eds., The Catskill delta: Geological Society of America Specia, eds., The Catskill delta: Geological Society of America Special Paper 201, p. 107l Paper 201, p. 107--121.121.

Milici, R.C., 1993, Autogenic gas (selfMilici, R.C., 1993, Autogenic gas (self--sourced) from shalessourced) from shales-- An example from the Appalachian basin, An example from the Appalachian basin, inin Howell, D.G., ed., The future of Howell, D.G., ed., The future of energy gases: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1570, p.energy gases: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1570, p. 253253--278.278.

ReferencesReferences (Cont.)(Cont.)Milici, R.C., 1996, Play Milici, R.C., 1996, Play DbgDbg: Upper Devonian fractured black shales and siltstones,: Upper Devonian fractured black shales and siltstones, inin Roen, J.B., and Walker, B.J., 1996, The Atlas of Major AppalachRoen, J.B., and Walker, B.J., 1996, The Atlas of Major Appalachian Gas ian Gas Plays: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Publication Plays: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Publication VV--25, p. 8625, p. 86--92.92.

Milici, R.C., 2005, Assessment of undiscovered natural gas resoMilici, R.C., 2005, Assessment of undiscovered natural gas resources in Devonian black shales, Appalachian basin, eastern U.S.Aurces in Devonian black shales, Appalachian basin, eastern U.S.A.: American .: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Abstracts Volume for the 200Association of Petroleum Geologists Abstracts Volume for the 2005 Annual Convention, p. A93.5 Annual Convention, p. A93.

Milici, R.C. and Milici, R.C. and StatlerStatler, 1980, fractures related to major thrusts , 1980, fractures related to major thrusts –– possible analogues to tectonically fractured Chattanooga Shale possible analogues to tectonically fractured Chattanooga Shale in Tennessee: in Tennessee: ininWheeler, R.L., and Dean, C.S., eds., Proceedings western limit oWheeler, R.L., and Dean, C.S., eds., Proceedings western limit of detachment and related structures in the Appalachian foreland:f detachment and related structures in the Appalachian foreland: U.S. U.S. Department of Energy Morgantown Energy Technology Center DOE/METDepartment of Energy Morgantown Energy Technology Center DOE/METC/SPC/SP--80/23, p.15780/23, p.157--166.166.

Milici, R.C., Ryder, R.T., Swezey, C.S., Charpentier, R.R., CookMilici, R.C., Ryder, R.T., Swezey, C.S., Charpentier, R.R., Cook, T. A., Crovelli, R.A., Klett, T.R., Pollastro, R.M., and Schen, T. A., Crovelli, R.A., Klett, T.R., Pollastro, R.M., and Schenk, C.J., 2003, k, C.J., 2003, Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the AppalachAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2003: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FSian Basin Province, 2003: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS--009009--03, 2 p.03, 2 p.

Oliver, W.A., Jr.; deWitt, Wallace, Jr.; Dennison, J.M.; HoskinsOliver, W.A., Jr.; deWitt, Wallace, Jr.; Dennison, J.M.; Hoskins, D.M.; and Huddle, J. W., 1967, Devonian of the Appalachian Bas, D.M.; and Huddle, J. W., 1967, Devonian of the Appalachian Basin, United in, United States, States, inin Oswald, G.H., ed., International Symposium on the Devonian SystOswald, G.H., ed., International Symposium on the Devonian System: Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary, Alberta, pem: Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary, Alberta, p. . 1001 1001 -- 1040.1040.

Oliver, W.A., Jr.; deWitt, Wallace, Jr.; Dennison, J.M.; HoskinsOliver, W.A., Jr.; deWitt, Wallace, Jr.; Dennison, J.M.; Hoskins, D.M.; and Huddle, J. W., 1971, , D.M.; and Huddle, J. W., 1971, IsopachIsopach and and lithofacieslithofacies maps of the Devonian in maps of the Devonian in the Appalachian Basin: Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographic and Gethe Appalachian Basin: Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey Progress Report 182.ologic Survey Progress Report 182.

RepetskiRepetski, J.E.., Ryder, R.T., Harper, J.A., and , J.E.., Ryder, R.T., Harper, J.A., and TrippiTrippi, M.H., 2002, Thermal maturity patterns in the Ordovician and De, M.H., 2002, Thermal maturity patterns in the Ordovician and Devonian rocks of the vonian rocks of the Appalachian basin in Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey OpenAppalachian basin in Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Open--File Report 02File Report 02--302, 57 p.302, 57 p.

RepetskiRepetski, J.E.., Ryder, R.T., Avary, K.L., and , J.E.., Ryder, R.T., Avary, K.L., and TrippiTrippi, M.H., 2005, Thermal maturity patterns (CAI and %Ro) in the Ord, M.H., 2005, Thermal maturity patterns (CAI and %Ro) in the Ordovician and Devonian rocks ovician and Devonian rocks of the Appalachian basin in West Virginia: U.S. Geological Surveof the Appalachian basin in West Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Openy Open--File Report 2005File Report 2005--1087, 69 p.1087, 69 p.

Ryder, R.T., Swezey, C.S., Ryder, R.T., Swezey, C.S., CrangleCrangle, R.D., Jr., and , R.D., Jr., and TrippiTrippi, M.N., in press, Geologic cross section through the central App, M.N., in press, Geologic cross section through the central Appalachian basin from the alachian basin from the Findlay arch, Wood County, Ohio, to the Allegheny structural froFindlay arch, Wood County, Ohio, to the Allegheny structural front, Pendleton County, West Virginia: U.S. Geological survey Scient, Pendleton County, West Virginia: U.S. Geological survey Scientific ntific Investigations Map IInvestigations Map I--XX.XX.

Roen, J.B. and Kepferle, R.C., eds., 1993, Petroleum geology of Roen, J.B. and Kepferle, R.C., eds., 1993, Petroleum geology of the Devonian and Mississippian black shale of eastern North Amerthe Devonian and Mississippian black shale of eastern North America: U.S. ica: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1909. Geological Survey Bulletin 1909.

Roen, J. B., and Walker, B.J., 1996, The atlas of major AppalachRoen, J. B., and Walker, B.J., 1996, The atlas of major Appalachian gas plays: West Virginia Geological and Economician gas plays: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Publication Survey Publication VV--25, 201p.25, 201p.

Rowan, E. L., Ryder, R.T., Rowan, E. L., Ryder, R.T., RepetskiRepetski, J.E., , J.E., TrippiTrippi, M.H., and , M.H., and RuppertRuppert, L.F., (2004), Initial results of a 2d burial/thermal history m, L.F., (2004), Initial results of a 2d burial/thermal history model through the codel through the centralentral Appalachian basin, Ohio and West Virginia: U.S. Geological SurAppalachian basin, Ohio and West Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Openvey Open--file report 2004file report 2004--1445.1445.

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Takahashi, K.I., and Varnes, K.L., eds., 1995 national assessmenTakahashi, K.I., and Varnes, K.L., eds., 1995 national assessment of United States oil and gas resourcest of United States oil and gas resources--results, methodology, and results, methodology, and supporting data: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDSsupporting data: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS--30, 1 CD30, 1 CD--ROM.ROM.

Schmoker, J.W., 1999, U.S. Geological Survey assessment model foSchmoker, J.W., 1999, U.S. Geological Survey assessment model for continuous (unconventional) oil and gas accumulationsr continuous (unconventional) oil and gas accumulations--the the ““FORESPANFORESPAN””model: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2168, <http:// model: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2168, <http:// greenwood.cr.usgs.govgreenwood.cr.usgs.gov> Accessed December 1999.> Accessed December 1999.

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Shumaker, R.C., 1980, Porous fracture facies in Devonian shales Shumaker, R.C., 1980, Porous fracture facies in Devonian shales of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia: of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia: inin Wheeler, R.L., and Dean, C.S., eds., Proceedings Wheeler, R.L., and Dean, C.S., eds., Proceedings western limit of detachment and related structures in the Appalawestern limit of detachment and related structures in the Appalachian foreland: U.S. Department of Energy chian foreland: U.S. Department of Energy Morgantown Energy Technology Center DOE/METC/SPMorgantown Energy Technology Center DOE/METC/SP--80/23, p.12480/23, p.124--132.132.

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