By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, July 2 -- Infinity Inc., Chanute, Kan., said it is awaiting permits to increase the compressor capacity at its LaBarge coalbed methane project in Wyoming to 5 MMcfd because gas production has reached the operating capacity of existing compression facilities.
Infinity completed five LaBarge wells in February, and gas sales from the wells started in May. Initially, a compressor with a rated capacity of 500 Mcfd was installed. Dewatering of the wells has been under way for 3 consecutive weeks, increasing gas production.
Depending upon line pressures,Infinity said it expects gas sales to average 400-500 Mcfd with the current compressor system.
Infinity said it is optimistic that the increased compression capacity will be available before the end of the third quarter.
Infinity Pres. and CEO Stanton E. Ross said, "These appear to be very healthy wells, and we expect production rates to increase significantly once greater compression capacity comes on line and the dewatering process continues."
The industry in general has stepped up its CBM drilling and production in the Rocky Mountain region. Increased coalbed methane drilling, along with pipeline bottlenecks, has caused natural gas prices to fall faster in the US Rocky Mountain region than elsewhere in the last 3 months (OGJ, July 1, 2002, p. 7).