Quebec shales due tests after TBR yields gas

July 6, 2009
Talisman Energy Inc. plans to stimulate and test multiple shale intervals in the St. Edouard-1 exploration well in Quebec’s St. Lawrence Lowlands after the well tested gas from Ordovician Trenton-Black River.

Talisman Energy Inc. plans to stimulate and test multiple shale intervals in the St. Edouard-1 exploration well in Quebec’s St. Lawrence Lowlands after the well tested gas from Ordovician Trenton-Black River.

The TBR carbonate open hole interval flowed at the rate of 2.2 MMcfd of gas with 2,000 psi wellhead pressure on a 7⁄32-in. choke at the end of a 3-day test after acid stimulation, insufficient by itself to support tie-in cost, judged participant Questerre Energy Corp., Calgary.

Questerre Energy said, “The natural fracturing contributed to strong initial flow rates from the TBR. More importantly, the cuttings indicate altered limestone that confirms the potential for the TBR exploration model. While we do not expect to tie-in this well, we believe the TBR remains a valid exploration target and plan to test additional prospects with future wells.”

The well is to be tested in the Utica and Lorraine shales. St. Edouard-1, which encountered natural fracturing and overpressured intervals while drilling, offsets the Leclercville-1 well that recently stabilized at 900 Mcfd from the Utica.