EQT reports high IP Rate For Utica Dry Gas well

Sept. 28, 2015
EQT Corp., Pittsburgh, said a deep Utica dry gas well averaged 72.9 MMcfd with an average flowing casing pressure of 8,641 psi during a 24-hr test. The well was completed using a 18-stage fracturing job, all-ceramic proppant, and a 3,221-ft lateral.

EQT Corp., Pittsburgh, said a deep Utica dry gas well averaged 72.9 MMcfd with an average flowing casing pressure of 8,641 psi during a 24-hr test. The well was completed using a 18-stage fracturing job, all-ceramic proppant, 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 planned to drill more appraisal wells with the first scheduled for the third quarter in Wetzel County, W.Va.

Schlotterbeck suggested total cost for wells in this area at $12.5 million for a 5,400-ft lateral, adding that EQT needs to drill several more wells before it's confident with that cost estimate.