A Study of the Relationship between Well Cuttings, Geophysical Logs, and Production Data for Select Wells from the Utica Shale, Eastern Ohio

The Utica Shale has been classified as an “unconventional” shale play. In eastern Ohio the Utica Shale play encompasses both the Utica Shale and Point Pleasant Formations. Significant oil and gas reserves have been identified as being present in the Utica Shale play, leading to an increase in exploration and production activity. As of late 2013, numerous horizontal wells have been drilled in eastern Ohio. Drilling, completion, and production records for these wells are required to be submitted to the Ohio DNR, and within a specified period of time are released to the public. To conduct this current study, ODNR information was acquired for seven Utica Shale wells in eastern Ohio, and the relationship between well cuttings, geophysical logs, and production data was examined. A multi-step procedure was taken in selecting and studying the materials and data available through the ODNR. The selection of the specific wells for this project occurred after close examination of the entire body of available Utica Shale data. Next, well cuttings for the selected wells were petrographically examined and described. The well cuttings were also subjected to a TCE solvent test to help verify the presence of hydrocarbons. X-ray diffractometry was conducted on the cuttings by a third party lab for the purpose of determining the presence of clay type within the well’s production interval. Geophysical logs for each of the seven wells were obtained for corroboration with the well cuttings analysis. The wells’ production data and completion records were also pulled from the ODNR’s database. After compiling all the data from these various tests, records, and examinations, a comparative table was produced which allowed for the determination of relationships between the geologic conditions and the completion and production information of all the wells. The findings indicate that in certain cases clear-cut relationships can be found between geologic and man-induced characteristics and in other cases no relationship is found