Equitable reports progress with Kentucky Berea gas play

Aug. 1, 2008
Equitable Resources Inc., Pittsburgh, said it has had encouraging results from early drilling for gas in Lower Mississippian Berea sandstone mostly in Kentucky and plans to have spud 25-30 Berea wells in 2008.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 1 -- Equitable Resources Inc., Pittsburgh, said it has had encouraging results from early drilling for gas in Lower Mississippian Berea sandstone mostly in Kentucky and plans to have spud 25-30 Berea wells in 2008.

The company has drilled eight Berea wells this year, five of which are on line. The two most recent wells drilled have been flowing less than one month but are expected to average first-month rates of 1.5 MMcfd. Completed well cost is $1.4 million/well.

Equitable hasn't booked any Berea reserves and remains uncertain about vertical and lateral drainage areas, but based on the results of previous drilling believes as many as 3,800 more locations could exist on its acreage where no previous Berea drilling has taken place.

The company has begun planning to add midstream facilities to support the Berea development.

Equitable also plans to drill 11 horizontal wells this year into other nonshale formations of Mississippian age, five in the Weir and three each in the Ravencliff and Big Lime.