Design, Execution, and Evaluation of a "Typical" Marcellus Shale Slickwater Stimulation: A Case History

Abstract In 2004 the first Appalachian Basin Marcellus Shale gas well stimulation utilizing a large slickwater treatment was performed in southwestern Pennsylvania. Since that time, based upon various publically reported results, it has become the most widely discussed play in the basin with numerous operators drilling and completing Marcellus wells in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New York. This wide geographic range has led to numerous different completion schemes being utilized as with geographic variation comes geologic variability within the formation itself. A primary topic of discussion has been determining the optimal size and type of stimulation treatment for a given area. This paper will discuss the stimulation treatment designed and performed on a Marcellus well operated by Guardian Exploration LLC.