The U. S. Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) has initiated a multi-year project directed toward the stimulation of project directed toward the stimulation of natural gas production in the Eastern Petroliferous basins. The objective of the project is to stimulate increased commercial production of natural gas by providing reliable resource data, developing economical extraction alternatives, and demonstrating the commercial feasibility of promising production techniques. The project promising production techniques. The project should provide a significant contribution to the domestic energy base, supply a clean fuel for eastern industrial use, and help to alleviate anticipated near-term and long-term shortages of natural gas.
The ERDA Eastern Gas Shales Project will be oriented specifically toward determining the true magnitude of potential gas reserves in the Devonian Age Shale, thoroughly characterizing the shale, and evaluating and improving state-of-the-art gas exploration and extraction technology. Results will be continually evaluated to determine areas in which new or additional studies may be needed and the desirability of planning and conducting a more extensive research, development, and demonstration (R, D and D) program. The project will concurrently monitor program. The project will concurrently monitor and protect the environment from possible damage resulting from natural gas development activities.
The project envisioned consists of the major elements listed below.
An inventory of the natural gas resource and recoverable reserves contained in the Eastern Shales.
A characterization of the nature of the shales in the three major sedimentary basins in the east (Appalachian, Illinois, and Michigan).
The development of exploration methods for locating fractured shale and other gas reservoirs associated with shale.
The performance of research and development studies on methods for improving gas recovery from the shales.
The implementation of a concurrent Field-Test Program to transfer the concepts in exploration, drilling, stimulation, and production to the natural gas industry.
The performance of environmental assessments to assure acceptable environmental impacts from exploratory and demonstration activity.
The performance of economic analyses to indicate commercial viability of various options.