TXDESERTFOX

Shale Gas: Promises, Promises, Promises

Total Texas natural gas production peaked in January 2009 at 675.2 BCFG/Month and has declined at a 30% per year rate to 572.7 BCFG/Month during August 2009. This decline in natural gas production is due to the rapid decline of Barnett Shale Gas Wells in the Fort Worth Basin and the Haynesville Shale Gas wells of East Texas. These figures are taken from the Texas Railroad Commission monthly reports.

Dr. Berman published an excellent article in the October issue of World Oil as follow-up to his previous articles discussing these shale gas plays. As a practicing Petroleum Engineer of 44 years I have also investigated the Barnett, Fayetteville and Haynesville Shale Plays and concur with his findings.

Texas Total natural gas production includes all gas produced in Texas, both associated “casinghead gas” and gas well gas. In January 2003, total natural gas production was 477.4 BCFG. Production steadily increased to 675.2 BCFG in January 2009. The increase in production resulted primarily from completion of thousands of shale gas wells. When the pace of drilling and completion in the two shale plays diminished, the rapid decline being masked became apparent.