EQT Corp., Pittsburgh, said a deep, dry gas Utica well averaged 72.9 MMcfd with an average flowing casing pressure of 8,641 psi during a 24-hr deliverability test. The well was completed using a 18-stage fracturing job and a 3,221-ft lateral.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported [initial production rate] of any Utica well to date,” said Steven Schlotterbeck, EQT executive vice-president. “I want to make note of the fact that we were able to flow this well directly into the sales pipeline without shutting in production from our other wells.”
EQT tied the well to a sales pipeline without impacting field pressure by diverting a Marcellus gathering system to another sales pipeline. The company plans to drill additional appraisal wells with the first slated for the third quarter in Wetzel County, W.Va.