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FRACTURED SHALE GAS POTENTIAL IN NEW YORK 

David G. HILL and Tracy E. LOMBARDI 

TICORA Geosciences, Inc., Arvada, Colorado, USA 

John P. MARTIN 

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Albany, New York, USA 

ABSTRACT 

In 1821, a shallow well drilled in the Devonian age shale ushered in a new era for the United States when 

natural gas was produced, transported and sold to local establishments in the town of Fredonia, New York. 

Following this discovery, hundreds of shallow shale wells were drilled along the Lake Erie shoreline and 

eventually several shale gas fields were established southeastward from the lake in the late 1800’s. Since 

the mid 1900’s, approximately 100 wells have been drilled in New York to test the fractured shale potential 

of the Devonian and Silurian age shales. With so few wells drilled over the past century, the true potential 

of fractured shale reservoirs has not been thoroughly assessed, and there may be a substantial resource. 

While the resource for shale gas in New York is large, ranging from 163-313 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) and 

the history of production dates back over 180 years, it has not been a major contributor to natural gas 

production in New York. A review of the history and research conducted on the shales shows that the 

resource in New York is poorly understood and has not been adequately tested. Other shales such as the 

Silurian and Ordovician Utica Shale may also hold promise as new commercial shale gas reservoirs. 

Experience developing shale gas plays in the past 20 years has demonstrated that every shale play is 

unique. A very large number of wells are required to economically and systematically develop a fractured 

gas shale play. Over 20,000 Devonian Shale wells are producing today in the Appalachian Basin. Over 

7,000 Antrim Shale wells are producing in the Michigan Basin and over 1,200 Barnett Shale wells are 

producing in the Fort Worth Basin today. Each individual play has been defined, tested and expanded based 

on understanding the resource distribution, natural fracture patterns, and limitations of the reservoir, and 

each play has required solutions to problems and issues required for commercial production. Many of these 

problems and solutions are unique to the play. Continued investigation of the shale potential in New York 

is warranted. More data is needed that address the geologic and reservoir properties of the shale. Modern 

protocols should be used in drilling, testing, completing, stimulating and producing new wells. 

1 INTRODUCTION 

The Appalachian Basin in the northeastern United States is an important hydrocarbon province that has 

been producing oil and gas since the early 1800’s. More than 40 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas and 

millions of barrels of oil have been produced from reservoir rocks of all ages. Devonian-age shales are a 

significant resource in the basin. Their coal-like appearance, wide spread distribution, and stratigraphic 

nearness to the surface led to interest and use as an energy source dating back to the 1700’s. The Devonian 

Shale of the basin has been estimated to contain up to 900 Tcf of natural gas, and an estimated 120,000 

wells have produced roughly 3.0 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas in the past 30 years. In addition to 

Devonian Shale, other stratigraphically older and deeper black shales are present in the basin, and the 

organic-rich Ordovician shales are believed to be a principle source rock for many of the productive 

reservoirs in the basin. These shales, though not frequently produced, are often noted in driller’s logs to 

have significant gas shows when drilling through them, and may be potential reservoirs. 

Curiosity about the black shales of New York from a geologic perspective and as a fuel source dates back 

to the late 1700’s. The black coal-like appearance and slightly combustible nature of the shales were of 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

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interest to the coal industry, and gas seeps in creek beds motivated early explorationists to study the rocks 

and find use for them. The first know commercial shale gas well was drilled in 1821 in the town of 

Fredonia, Chatauqua County, New York near a gas seep along Canadaway Creek (de Witt, 1997). The well, 

drilled by William Aaron Hart, was completed as a gas producer in the shallow Dunkirk shale. The well 

was connected to pipeline and provided natural gas to Fredonia’s main street businesses and street lamps in 

the 1820’s. Following Hart’s success, the development and use of shale gas proliferated along the south 

shore of Lake Erie, eventually spreading southward into Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. By 

the turn of the century hundreds if not thousands of wells had been drilled along the lake shore and in the 

basin, and were producing shale gas for domestic and small commercial use. However as exploration 

advanced, the development of shale gas wells diminished in favor of more productive conventional oil and 

gas horizons. It was observed early on that shale gas was tight, and while successful wells produced 

steadily over long periods of time, production volumes were extremely variable and unpredictable, but 

usually low (<100 mcfd). The mechanisms controlling production from these wells were not understood, 

and the technology to optimize production was in its infancy. 

In the late 1960’s, as natural gas reserves in the United States began to diminish, the U.S. Energy Research 

and Development Administration (ERDA, later the U.S. DOE) initiated a program to evaluate the Nation’s 

gas resource. Recognizing that the Devonian and Mississippian black shales were a major gas resource that 

required advanced production methods for recovery, the ERDA launched the Eastern Gas Shales Project

(EGSP) in 1976. The project was a joint research project between the DOE and numerous State, Federal, 

and private industrial organizations, which were brought together to participate in the research. NYSERDA 

entered the project in 1979 by initiating a 4 well R&D program. 

2 GEOLOGY 

New York forms the northern edge of the Appalachian Basin that exists from southern Ontario to 

Tennessee. With few exceptions, the state’s bedrock primarily consists of Devonian-age and older 

formations. The younger rocks lie to the south and all sedimentary formations outcrop to the north, at the 

edge of the Adirondack uplift. The Ordovician and Cambrian become visible again in the St. Lawrence 

Lowlands. 

The rocks in New York have been impacted by at least one of the three major Paleozoic tectonic events. 

This has left the subsurface folded, fractured, and compressed. Also, numerous sea level changes created 

significant unconformities including the Knox Unconformity. Studies indicate that the Devonian age and 

older rocks underwent deep burial before being uplifted to their current elevation. This tectonic history 

created the environment for hydrocarbon development and the trapping mechanisms to accumulate 

economic quantities of oil and natural gas. Figure 2.1 displays the orientation of the Paleozoic rocks in New 

York. Ordovician and younger rocks make up the central and western portions of the state which 

encompass the Ontario Lowlands and Allegany Plateau (Figure 2.2). Lake Ontario and the Adirondack 

Mountains form the northern boundary, the eastern margin is formed by the Hudson Lowlands and Taconic 

Mountains, and to the west terminates at the shore of Lake Erie. The structure of this region is fairly 

simple. Paleozoic rocks overlying the Precambrian crystalline basement outcrop along the northern extent 

of the Allegany Plateau, and dip gently to the southwest. In the southern portion of New York, a series of 

small-scale folds are present, extending from Chatauqua to Tioga counties. The folds are small anticlines, 

dipping less than 2o

, which are associated with the Appalachian Fold Belt, an arcuate belt of anticlines and 

synclines that extend southward into West Virginia (Frey, 1973). 

In the last 1 million years, New York has endured significant continental glaciation, with ice thicknesses 

approaching one mile. According to Robert Milici, “glacial loading and post-glacial isostatic rebound in the 

gas-producing regions to the south of the Great Lakes appears to have created the fractured pathways for 

gas to have migrated from black shale source rocks into intercalated brittle silty and sandy reservoirs, as 

well as to have fractured and enhanced the storage capacity of these reservoirs (Milici, 1996). The ice at its 

maximum extent is estimated to have been over 1 mile thick, and the shear weight of the ice sheet caused 

the region to compress and sag (Isachsen, 2000). When the ice melted, ocean water temporarily flooded 

low-lying areas in the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys that had been depressed forming the Champlain 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

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sea. Many marine deposits of this sea are now found at elevations exceeding 300 feet, indicating rebound of 

the region occurred. In the south where the glacial ice was thinner the rebound was less, however in the 

north where the ice was thicker, the rebound is over 400 feet. The uneven rebound is seen throughout 

northern New York. Glacial lake deposits that were once horizontal are now inclined to the north, and in 

the Lake Ontario region, the whole are has been tilted north to south. Post glacial rebound is now complete 

in New York, however the near-surface joint system has been enhanced and opened by the release of the 

glacial weight (Charpentier, 1982). The presence of horizontal fractures in the Devonian is mentioned in 

well records, and has been attributed to glacial unloading (Imbrogno, 2003). 

Figure 2.1. Orientation of the Paleozoic Rocks, Central Appalachian Basin. 

Figure 2.2. Physiographic Regions of New York. 

Both gas and oil have been produced from rocks of many ages in New York, and the primary targets for 

operators in the past have been the gas-bearing sands in the Oriskany, Medina, Queenston, Chemung and 
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Fulmer Valley formations (Table 2.1). The organic rich black shales are the principal source rock for much 

of the oil and gas in the basin (Milici, 1992). In addition, gas shows have been noted frequently in drillers 

logs and petroleum related hydrocarbons have been observed in cuttings from the Ordovician-age Utica 

Shale (Robinson, 1989). 

Table 2.1. Stratigraphic Column of New York; Oil and Gas Producing Horizons 

2.1 STRATIGRAPHY 

Organic-rich black shale beds are found in many different age rock formations in New York. Some are 

massive and very widespread correlating well to the shales in other regions of the Appalachian Basin, while 

others are thin and limited in area. The following section provides an overview of the stratigraphy of the 

primary black shale intervals in the Paleozoic section of New York. A large volume of literature exists that 

thoroughly discuss the many stratigraphic units and variances in New York. Several key references are 

PERIOD GROUP UNIT LITHOLOGY THICKNESS 

(feet) PRODUCTION 

PENNSYLVANIAN Pottsville Olean Ss, cgl 75 – 100 

MISSISSIPPIAN Pocono Knapp Ss, cgl 5 – 100 

Conewango Riceville Sh, ss, cgl 70 

Conneuat Chadakoin Sh, ss 700 

Undiff Sh, ss Oil, Gas 

Canadaway Sh, ss Oil, Gas PerrysburgDunkirk Sh 

1100 – 1400 

Java Sh, ss 

West Falls Nunda Sh, ss Oil, Gas 

Rhinestreet Sh 

365 – 125 

Sonyea Middlesex Sh 0 – 400 Gas 

UPPER 

Genesee Geneseo Sh 0 – 450 Gas 

? Tully Ls 0 – 50 Gas 

Moscow Sh 

Ludlowville Sh 

Skaneateles Sh Hamilton 

Marcellus Sh 

200 – 600 

Gas 

MIDDLE 

 Onondaga Ls 30 – 235 Gas, Oil 

Tristates Oriskany Ss 0 – 40 Gas 

Manlius Ls 

DEVONIAN 

LOWER Heldergerg Rondout Dol 0 – 10 

 Akron Dol 0 – 15 Gas 

Camillus Sh, gyp 

Salina Syracuse Dol, sh, slt 

Vernon Sh 

450 – 1850 

Lockport Lockport Dol 150 – 250 Gas 

Rochester Sh Gas 

UPPER 

Irondequoit Ls 

125 

Sodus Sh Gas 

Reynales Ls 

Clinton 

Thorold Ss 

75 

Grimsby Sh, ss 75 – 150 Gas 

SILURIAN 

LOWER 

Medina Whirlpool Ss 0 – 25 Gas 

Queenston Sh Gas 

Oswego Ss 

Lorraine Sh 

1100 – 1500 

UPPER 

Utica Sh 900 – 1000 

Trenton Ls 425 – 625 Gas 

MIDDLE Trenton-Black 

River Black River Ls 225 – 550 

ORDOVICIAN 

LOWER Beekmantown Tribes HillChuctanunda Ls 0 – 550 

Little Falls Dol 0 – 350 

CAMB. UPPER Galway Dol, ss 575 – 1350 Gas 

Potsdam Ss, dol 75 – 500 Gas 

PRECAMBRIAN Gneiss, marble, quartzite 

(Modified from NYSERDA 1985).
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

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presented in Table 2.2 and are just a few of the excellent resources which provide a more detailed account 

of the stratigraphy (for additional references see Bibliography in Appendix A). 

2.1.1 Ordovician 

One of the oldest and most widespread black shales is the Ordovician-age Utica Shale. The Utica Shale lies 

conformably above the Trenton Limestone/Dolgeville Formation in New York (Table 2.1). It was deposited 

very broadly across the Appalachian Basin and into Ontario, and covers thousands of square miles. In New 

York the Utica is found in outcrop along the west and south-southeast sides of the Adirondack Mountains, 

and is well exposed in several locals along the northern margin of the Allegany Plateau (Figure 2.3). It is 

deeply buried over most of the state of New York, and from outcrop it dips to depths over 9,000 feet in the 

southern portion of the state (Wallace, 1988). 

The Utica is a massive, fossiliferous, organic-rich, thermally-mature black to gray-black shale, and is 

considered to be the source rock for Lower Devonian through Cambrian production and shows. The Utica 

was deposited in a deep marine basin with a subsiding trough that generally trended north-south. It 

interfingers with the basal Dolgeville formation, which is composed of alternating beds of limestone and 

shale. Source rock for the organic-rich black shale was supplied from the eroding highlands to the east. 

Slowly the deep marine trough was filled in, and deposition of the upper Utica spread westward. The 

westward migration was periodic which is reflected in the presence of at least five facies intervals, which 

are bounded by unconformities or condensed beds (Lehmann, 1995). Each unit represents a pulse of 

subsidence and subsequent sedimentation in the basin, and all have several similarities. Each interval 

onlaps argillaceous limestone, and has shifted westward with respect to the underlying unit. The base of 

each unit is defined as a disconformity and/or stratigraphically condensed interval, and each appears to 

record a localized deepening event. The overlying black shale unit is thinner than the previous unit. 

Figure 2.3. Utica Shale near Little Falls, New York 

The thickest section of the Utica is found along the Mohawk Valley and was deposited in the subsiding 

trough where it is well over 2,000 feet thick. It thins to the north and west to less than 100 feet along the 

Lake Erie shoreline where it becomes somewhat silty. Over much of New York State, the Utica is less than 

300 feet thick (Figure 2.4) (Zerrahn, 1978). The Utica is overlain by coarser clastics of the Lorraine Shale, 

which consists of shale, siltsone and fine-grained sandstones, which were deposited as the marine 

environment prograded westward and deltaic deposits pushed across New York from the east. Oil and gas 

shows have been reported in the black shale of the Utica and in its Dolgeville member, including a recent 

report of 1 MMscf/day (Trevail, 2003). 
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Figure 2.4. Isopach of the Utica Shale. 

2.1.2 Silurian 

The Silurian rocks of New York were deposited in the northern end of the Appalachian foreland basin 

during a relatively quiet tectonic time. They represent a short interval of geologic time, roughly 20 million 

years, however reflect a wide variety of depositional environments. Many of the Silurian rocks are 

extremely fossiliferous, indicating deposition in relatively shallow warm water. Silurian rocks in New York 

consist primarily of dolostone, limestone, evaporites, medium-gray and greenish-gray shales, and thin but 

persistent beds of phosphatic nodules and oolitic or fossil-rich hematite. No information regarding the 

organic content and thermal maturity of Silurian shale has been found. As they are primarily gray shales 

(there is one black shale member) they are not organically rich in general; however two shales in the 

Clinton Group are of interest because of their close proximity to the gas-charged productive horizons, and 

because two wells are reported to produce natural gas from Clinton Groups shales. However it may be that 

the gas in the producing rocks migrated there from other source rocks (Martin, 2003). 

The Sodus Shale was deposited near shore in shallow warm water, and contains a readily identifiable 

"pearly shell" limestone layer, which formed as a result of a very dense population of small shellfish. The 

shale is greenish-gray to purplish and was probably deposited in shallow, stagnant, low energy water. One 

well is reported to produce from the Sodus Shale in Seneca County. Overlying the Sodus is the Williamson 

Shale, a black shale which was deposited in deep, almost lifeless, anoxic water which was created by the 

presence of a great deal of iron in the sediments. In a drastic change of environment, the Williamson is 

overlain by a fossil rich limestone bed, and the Rochester Shale. The Rochester Shale is brownish-gray, 

calcareous, and fossiliferous with interbedded argillaceous limestone layers, and is well exposed in 

numerous road cuts and creeks (Figure 2.5). One well is also reported to produce from the Rochester Shale 

in Seneca County. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

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Overlying the rocks of the Clinton Group is a continuing sequence of near-shore/marine rocks of the 

Lockport Group. The alternating layers of sand, shale, limestone are rich in fossils. The overlying Salina 

Group was deposited near-shore, and contains shales, dolostone, and numerous evaporite beds. The salt 

beds of the Salina had a great influence on the structural deformation of overlying rocks in the basin. The 

salt layer divides the rocks of the Allegheny Plateau horizontally, separating the youngest Silurian and 

Devonian rocks above from lower Paleozoic rocks below (Isachsen, 2000). The salts, which are extremely 

malleable, provided a zone of weakness that allowed the younger rocks above to slide to the northwest 

during regional compression without significant folding and faulting. The resulting horizontal fault, or 

décollement separates the fixed rocks below form the transported rocks above. 

Figure 2.5. Rochester Shale Outcrop in New York. 

(from http://www.earth.rochester.edu/ees201/ Rochester_FT/rochester.html). 

2.1.3 Devonian 

The Devonian section covers approximately 22,500 square miles in south-central New York (Figure 2.6), 

and represents some 50 million years of history. It crops out along the northern and eastern margin of the 

Allegheny Plateau and is roughly 3,000 feet thick near Lake Erie, where it is composed primarily of rocks 

with marine origins. To the southeast, it thickens to over 9,000 feet, and is composed primarily of rocks of 

continental origin (Isachsen, 2000). Depth to the base of the group increases from outcrop to over 4,000 

feet in southern New York (Figure 2.7). The black shales in the Devonian section generally are thickest in 

the western and central portion of the Allegheny Plateau. To the east, they thin and pinch out, grading into 

coarser gray shales and siltstone. Interbedded are several thin, but widespread limestone units, which serve 

as marker beds used to differentiate between the numerous formations. 

The gas-bearing shale portion of the Devonian in New York occurs in the Middle and Upper Devonian, and 

extends from the top of the Onondaga Limestone through the Perrysburg Formation (Figure 2.8)(Van Tyne, 

1978). They are in ascending order: the Hamilton Group, Genesee Formation, Sonyea Group, West Falls 

Formation, and Canadaway Group. The rocks of the Hamilton Group are the oldest strata of the Devonian 

gas shale sequence. The group overlies the Onondaga Limestone, and consists of black and dark gray 

shales in the lower part, and limestone, light gray shale and mudstone in the upper part. The Hamilton 
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Group outcrops along the northern margin of the Allegheny Plateau, and thickens eastward from 250 feet 

near Lake Erie to over 2,500 feet in Ulster and Green counties. The Hamilton has been subdivided into four 

units: the Marcellus, Skaneateles, Ludlowville, and Moscow, which are separated by thin limestone beds. 

The basal unit of the Hamilton is the Marcellus Shale. The Marcellus formation is highly radioactive and 

regionally extensive, covering most of the Allegheny Plateau and extending southward through the 

Appalachian Basin. It is a “sooty” black/brown to dark gray fissile shale with interbedded layers of 

medium-gray shale and limestone nodules or beds of dark gray to black limestone. It ranges from 25 feet to 

over 100 feet in thickness. 

The Stafford Limestone overlies the Marcellus and marks the base of the Skaneateles Formation, which is a 

dark to medium gray fossiliferous shale and mudrock, containing a thin, black shale, the Levanna Shale. 

The Skaneateles is more clastic in nature than the Marcellus and contains some sandy layers. It is overlain 

by the Centerfield Limestone, which marks the base of the Ludlowville Shale. The Ludlowville is a dark 

gray basal shale, overlain by a lighter shale. 

The Geneseo Shale is the basal unit of the Genesee Formation, and is the primary black shale in the 

formation. It is a fissile, organic-rich shale which when broken emits a distinct petroleum odor (de Witt, 

1993). The Geneseo attains a maximum thickness of 125 feet in central Steuben County. The Lodi 

Limestone overlies the Geneseo and consists of large discoidal limestone nodules in a bed of dark-gray 

fossiliferous siltstone. The overlying Penn Yan and West River shales are dark gray to medium gray 

organic-rich shale and mudstone, with some beds of black shale that extend into the Renwick. A thin 

limestone, the Genundewa, is found between the two shales in central New York, but pinches out 

southward and the shales grade into each other. 

Figure 2.6. Devonian Outcrop in New York (modified from Isachsen et al 2000). 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

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Figure 2.7. Drilling Depth to Base of the Devonian. 

The Sonyea Group overlies the Genesee Formation and is subdivided into the Middlesex Shale and the 

Cashaqua Shale. Thickness of the Sonyea increases from approximately 10 feet at Lake Erie to over 800 

feet in Tioga County. Like the Geneseo the Middlesex is a black organic-rich shale in western New York. 

Interbedded are layers of dark gray and brownish-black shales. It covers much of southern New York, and 

averages 65-75 feet thick in Yates and Steuben counties, and thins to the west to less than 10 feet. The 

Cashaqua is a gray shale with an abundance of flat ellipsoidal limestone nodules, and a few thin layers of 

black shale. The two shale members grade eastward into a thickening sequence of siltstone and silty shale, 

which is part of a common turbidite facies of the Catskill Delta. 

The West Falls formation overlies the Sonyea Group, and consists of two shale-bearing formations, the 

West Falls Formation and the Java Formation. The Rhinestreet is the basal shale unit of the West Falls 

Formation. It is a thick, fissile, black shale outcropping in Chatauqua County where it is about 140 feet 

thick. To the east it thickens rapidly as it grades into and interfingers with the overlying gray Angola shale 

reaching a thickness of over 1,200 feet at the Allegany-Steuben County line, however the black shale 

component of the Rhinestreet thins eastward to less than 5 feet in Allegany County. The Overlying Java 

Formation ranges from 100 feet in thickness in western New York to over 600 feet in Steuben County. At 

the base of the Java is the thin, black Pipe Creek Shale. It is persistent, organic-rich black shale throughout 

its lateral extent. It is thin, not more than 25 feet at its maximum in south-central Cattaraugus County, and 

pinching out in northern Steuben County. The Hanover Shale is a gray shale, with some interbedded black 

shale beds. It thickens to the east grading into silty shale, siltstone, and sandstone. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

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Figure 2.8. Devonian Stratigraphic Column (Modified from Van Tyne, 1978). 

The uppermost unit of the black shale sequence is the Perrysburg Formation of the Canadaway Group. It is 

approximately 300 feet thick near Lake Erie and increases in thickness to over 700 feet in Cattaraugus 

County, thinning again toward Steuben County. The Perrysburg consists of a basal black shale, the Dunkirk 

Shale, overlain by the gray Gowanda Shale Member. The Dunkirk is another extensively deposited, 

organic-rich, black shale in the basin with equivalent shales (the Huron and Ohio) extending south into 

Alabama. In New York, the Dunkirk is a grayish-black to black shale containing some medium gray shales 

and siltstones in the upper part. It crops out and is well exposed in the vicinity of Dunkirk, Chatauqua 

County, ranging from 50 feet in thickness in the east to 110 feet in central Erie County. The black shale 

component of the Dunkirk varies from 50 feet in Chautauqua County to less than 25 feet in south 

Cattaraugus County (Van Tyne, 1978). The overlying Gowanda Shale is a gray shale with siltstone and 

very fine-grained sandstone, and an occasional black shale bed. In central and eastern New York the black 

shale content diminishes rapidly as the two formations grade into one another. From the Late Devonian into 

the Early Permian, the basin continued to fill with coarse clastics primarily of continental origin, which 

were deposited as the delta migrated to the west. 

2.2 DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND THICKNESS OF BLACK SHALES 

The environment of deposition for the marine shale sequences in the Appalachian Basin consisted of four 

broad regions; an alluvial plain, a shelf-delta front, the base of the slope, and the deep basin as depicted in 

Figure 2.9 (Kepferle, 1993). Deposition of the Paleozoic sediments occurred as mountains generally 
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located to the east of the basin were eroded. Sediments were then transported westward via a massive delta 

complex and deposited on the alluvial plain and into the marine environment. 

Figure 2.9. Deposition Model; Organic Rich Black Shales (modified from Kepferle, 1993). 

The resulting clastic wedge that formed from the eroding highlands consists of very thick coarse 

conglomerates and sands in the east that grade westward (seaward) into finer-grained beach deposits, and 

open marine deposits (Figure 2.10) (de Witt, 1993B). The black shales coalesce in western New York 

where the deep marine basin existed quite constantly, and most extend south and west into Pennsylvania, 

Ohio, and West Virginia to varying extents. Changes in sea level and fluctuations in the rate of sediment 

supply caused the transgression and regression of the marine environment. During marine transgression, the 

deep marine basin environment would expand up the slope, onto the shelf and perhaps even across the 

shore zone, spreading east and south. This is reflected in the deposition of black shales over gray and green 

shales and sands of the near shore environment. When sediment supply increased, or sea level dropped, the 

marine environment regressed and the delta complex and associated clastic rocks pushed westward, 

depositing the interbedded gray shales, siltstones and sandstones. This type of cyclic deposition occurred 

repeatedly during Devonian time affecting the extent of deposition of each interval. 

The thickness of the Devonian black shale has been evaluated by several authors, including VanTyne, De 

Witt, and Roen (Van Tyne, 1978 and 1997, de Witt et al., 1993, Roen, 1984). The thickness of each black 

shale bed is not depicted in this report but is well depicted by these authors in numerous reports, however 

thickness of each unit varies somewhat by author depending upon their methodology. Most black shales are 

easily recognizable on gamma-ray logs by their strong positive deflections (Figure 2.11). Thickness is 

determined by picking shale where the gamma-ray log exceeds 20 API units in positive value above the 

gray-shale base line. However, Van Tyne noted that “in certain cases, much of the black shale present does 

not exceed the 20 API limit and thus constitutes a thicker section than that measured in this way from the 

log,” which was particularly true in the Genesee and Hamilton groups, where differences in thickness in the 

sample studies exceeded the log response pick by a factor of 10 or greater (Van Tyne, 1978 and 1997). 

De Witt noted in his evaluation that throughout much of the western and central Appalachian Basin the 20 

API criteria are applicable in picking black shale thickness; however that it cannot be applied with 

assurance in the eastern part of the basin where the black shales lose the positive gamma-ray deflection (de 

Witt et al. , 1993). 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

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Figure 2.10. Facies of the Middle and Upper Devonian. 

Figure 2.11. Gamma Ray Signature of Radioactive Black Shale. 

As determined by de Wit using the 20 API gamma ray cut off, the net thickness of radioactive Devonian 

black shale ranges from less than 100 feet to over 500 feet (Figure 2.12) (de Witt et al., 1993). Generally 

the individual black shale units thicken from the western-central portion of the Allegheny Plateau toward 

the south/southeast. They are thickest in south-central New York, and thin to the east, grading into gray 

shales. The Hamilton Group black shales (primarily the Marcellus) range from less than 50 feet to about 
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100 feet over much of southern New York, but locally thicken to over 250 feet in northeast Tioga County. 

The Genesee Formation black shale is present in the western and central portion of the Allegheny Plateau, 

and ranges from less than 25 feet to over 125 feet in southern Steuben County. The Sonyea Formation 

(Middlesex black shale) is fairly thin, and not widespread, and ranges from less than 25 feet to just over 75 

feet. The West Falls Formation, containing the massive and extensive Rhinestreet Shale, ranges from less 

than 150 feet to over 300 feet in southwestern New York. The Perrysburg Formation is present in 

southwestern New York, and thickens from less than 50 feet Chatauqua County to over 100 feet in central 

Erie County. 

Figure 2.12. Radioactive Black Shale Thickness in New York. 

2.3 NATURAL FRACTURING 

The rocks of the New York were strongly affected by the various stress regimes operating during the 

orogenic events mentioned above, and several episodes of natural fracturing occurred in the region. Natural 

fracturing is visible at many locations in New York. The regional fracturing patterns in the Devonian rocks 

of New York have been studied in depth by numerous authors including Parker (1942), Engelder (1980), 

Evans (1994), Gross (1991), and Loewy (1995). 

Geologic studies of natural fracturing in New York indicate that various different vertical joint sets are 

present within the rocks of Middle and Upper Devonian age. Several different types of fractures (joints) are 

observed in the rocks, and each formed at different times and under varying circumstances (Wallace, 1988). 

Alleghanian joints, are planar cracks that formed during the Alleghanian Orogeny in response to the 

compression exerted upon the rocks. Release joints formed during the Mesozoic Era, and resulted from 

rock expansion as erosion removed many layers of overlying rock. Unloading joints formed later as the 

rock cooled and reflect the present stress field in the region (Wallace, 1988). The orientation of joints is 

related to the trajectory of the stress setting during the time of fracturing, and the orientation of maximum 

principal stress changed frequently during the regional geologic history. Generally, vertical joints propagate 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 14 - 

normal to the least principal stress, following the trajectories of the stress field at the time of propagation, 

thus the joint systems in the basin have varying orientations. 

Organic content appears to have been a significant factor in joint development, and not all joint sets are 

present in all rocks. Black shales in particular have higher joint densities than adjacent gray shales, and 

joints often terminate at lithologic boundaries as seen in Figure 2.13 (University of Rochester, 2002). Some 

beds contain several different joint sets, while adjacent beds may contain only one set, thus the total joint 

density in a rock layer depends on the organic content and propagation mechanisms of the jointing episode. 

Five joints sets have been categorized by Loewy (1995), and were determined based on their “clustering of 

orientation and similarity of morphology” (Table 2.2). Timing of each jointing episode was determined by 

comparing abutting relationships between the different joints. Where a joint terminates against another 

joint, the terminating joint (abutting) is younger than the abutted joint. 

Figure 2.13. Natural Fractures in Utica Black Shale 

Joint spacing of the five joint systems varies from less than one meter to several meters. Density is greatest 

in black shales where it is usually less than one meter. In addition, joint densities are higher in thinner black 

shales than thicker black shales because of differences in total organic content (organic content is higher in 

thinner beds than thicker beds). Loewy also states that joint porosity decreases with increasing bed 

thickness, and that “overall joint porosities in the shales with the largest joint densities are less than 1%” 

[see Loewy (1995) “Observations and Experimental Data” pages 13-45, for a thorough discussion]. 

Little literature exists that discusses the natural fracturing in the Silurian and Ordovician. Natural fractures 

are present however, as seen in road cuts through the Utica Shale (Figure 2.13). In 1997 the Earth Satellite 

Corporation (1997) performed a remote sensing and lineament analysis of the Appalachian Basin in New 

York. The basis for their assessment was geologic interpretation of ten digitally-enhanced, Landsat 

Thematic Mapper TM images within the outcrop of the Utica Shale in New York. 

Fractures 

(from http://www.earth.rochester.edu/ees201/Mohudtrip/dolge.html). 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 15 - 

Table 2.2. Primary Joint Sets in New York. 

Orde

r Type Orientation Rock Type Timing / Stress 

1 

Cross-fold 

(CF)* 

Set I** 

N-NW (320 o

to 010 o) 

Gray shale, siltstones, 

and Black Shale 

Natural hydraulic fracturing during NNNW compression during the 

Alleghanian Orogeny, formed at depth. 

2 070o 

Set III** 070o Black/Gray Shale below 

Rhinestreet fm. 

Release joints, propagating during basin 

uplift and regional rifting, formed at 

depth. 

3 E-W 085 o

Rhinestreet & Ithaca 

Formation Black shales 

only 

Relaxing of formation tension resulting in 

release joints, formed at depth. 

4 

Fold 

Parallel 

(FP) 

Set II** 

E-NE to E-W 

070 o east to -

045 o west 

Gray/Black shale Most 

dense in and above the 

West Falls Group 

Unloading, Release joints propagated 

during uplift. 

5 E-NE E-NE Gray shale, siltstones, 

and Black Shale 

Unloading-type, Parallel present stress 

field (Neotectonic), shallow depth. 

* Consists of several joint sets that are not differentiated 

** Regional set nomenclature by Parker (1942) 

The orientation of natural fractures was evaluated for four map sheets within the entire study area as 

depicted in Figure 2.14, and the rose diagrams generated by Earth Satellite Corporation (1997) show that 

the dominant fracture orientation varies from west to east. On sheets 1 and 2, where the upper Devonian 

sequence is very near the surface, northeast to eastern fractures dominate. On sheet 3, the wide variation in 

fracture orientation observed is “indicative of the fact that this sheet contains both the northeastern-most 

portion (mostly Ordovician section of the Appalachian Basin) and the St. Lawrence Lowlands portion of 

the study.” Sheet 4 shows that “the effect of basement reactivation of trends associated with the Taconic 

orogeny (N5o

-20oE and N5o-20oW trends) and the trends associated with the eastern-most portion of the 

Appalachian Basin (N45o

-55oW, N25o-40oE and N45o-60oE) are evident.” 

Figure 2.14. Rose Diagrams of Four Study Areas 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 16 - 

Joints in Ordovician-age rocks are more profoundly influenced by preexisting basement structure, the 

Taconic Orogeny and related structural grain, and by the Salina Salts, which would have transferred 

“almost all the stress from subsequent tectonism to the overlying sequences and resulted in a muted effect 

in the underlying Ordovician Rocks” (Earth Satellite Corporation, 1997). 

The potential for development of fractured shale reservoirs depends upon the presence of extensive natural 

fractures, and “current ambient stress in New York suggests that subsurface fracture orientations in an eastnortheast direction will likely be most favorable as the major feeders for hydrocarbons into fractured 

reservoirs in either the source rocks or conduits to other reservoirs” (The Cadmus Group, 1997). 

3 Geochemistry 

The amount of gas present in organic rich shales (at a given locality) is dependent on three factors: 1) the 

amount of organic matter originally deposited with the rock, 2) the relative origins of the different types of 

organic matter and the original capacity of each for gas generation, and 3) the degree of conversion of the 

organic matter to hydrocarbon natural gas. The first two factors are largely dependent on conditions present 

at the site of deposition, and the third is determined by intensity and duration of post-depositional heating, 

or load metamorphisim due to maximum depth of burial. The second factor is relatively constant for 

Devonian shale samples studied. This also assumes that the natural gas has remained, to some extent, 

trapped in the source to become a “reservoir.” 

3.1 TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON 

The amount of organic carbon present in the rock is not only important as a source rock, but it also 

contributes to the natural gas storage by adsorption and or solution within the reservoir system. In the 

Appalachian Basin, darker zones within the Devonian Shale (higher organic content) are usually more 

productive that the organic-poor gray zones (Schmoker, 1980). 

Figure 3.1. Average Organic Content (%) of the Devonian Shale in New York. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 17 - 

Total organic carbon (TOC) measurements have been made on both core and drill cuttings in the Devonian 

Shale in New York. Table 3.1 summarizes the measurements from core samples by formation (Streib, 

1981, Zielinski, 1980). Both tables are averages of multiple data points from individual wells and from 

multiple wells by Devonian Shale member. TOC values range from low values less than 0.5% in the upper 

Devonian shales to over 6% in the middle Devonian shales. The data also show a general trend of 

increasing TOC going from central New York to western New York as well as a general trend of increasing 

TOC with depth or age of Devonian Shale (Figure 3.1). However, Weary, et. al. describe a Middle 

Devonian Marcellus cuttings sample taken from Livingston County with a measured TOC of 11.05% 

(Weary, 2001). 

No TOC data is available for Silurian shales. Measurements of total organic carbon in the Utica Shale have 

been reported in literature (Hay, 1989, Hannigan, 1994, Ryder, 1998, Wallace, 1988). Table 3.3 is a 

summary of the data. The range is from approximately 0.16% to 4.0% with an average of 1.68%. 

Table 3.1. TOC from New York Devonian Shale Drill Cuttings. 

Group Member 

Van Tyne 9 Well Data Set 

Average All Wells / All Depths 

Total Organic Carbon (%) 

USGS 20 Well Data Set 

Average All Wells / All Depths 

Total Organic Carbon (%) 

 Dunkirk Shale 1.14 

Canadaway 

 

 Hanover Shale 0.80 

Java 

 Pipe Creek 

 Angola Shale 0.89 

West Falls 

 Rhinestreet Shale 1.95 1.47 

 

Sonyea Cashaqua Shale 0.65 

 Middlesex 2.83 1.50 

 West River 1.34 

Genesee Pen Yan Shale 2.40 1.58 

 Geneseo Shale 4.00 0.92 

 Hamilton Shale 0.80 

Hamilton 

 Marcellus Shale 6.05 3.87 

Table 3.2. Published Organic Carbon Data for the Utica Shale in New York. 

Source Range of Weight Percent Organic Carbon 

Hay and Cisne, 1989 / Outcrop in 

Central New York 

1% – 3.5%, average 1.75% 

Hannigan and Mitchell, 1994 / 

Outcrop, east-central New York 

1% – 4%, average 2.22% 

Wallace and Roen, 1989 / Subsurface 

and Outcrop 

0.16% - 3.19%, average 1.09% 

3.2 KEROGEN TYPE 

Knowing the type of kerogen that is present in the rock provides information on hydrocarbon source 

potential and depositional environment. Kerogen type can also influence the amount of natural gases stored 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 18 - 

by adsorption as well as diffusion rate. The classification scheme for kerogen evolved initially from the 

optical maceral analysis of coal. Elemental analysis was later applied to kerogen analysis. The elemental 

analysis is based on the quantification of the hydrogen/carbon (H/C) and oxygen/carbon (O/C) ratios from 

Van Krevelen (1961). A plot of the ratios, called the Van Krevelen diagram, was developed to 

diagrammatically determine kerogen types and thermal maturation. The ratios on the Van Krevelen 

diagram were replaced with the indices (HI and OI) from Rock-Eval data resulting in a modified Van 

Krevelen diagram (Espitaliè, 1977). This modified diagram is used to determine kerogen types. Figure 3.2 

is a further breakdown and description of the four common types of kerogen. 

Figure 3.2. Kerogen Types (Waples, 1985). 

Kerogen 

Type 

Depositional 

Environment 

Organic Precursors Hydrogen 

Product 

I Lacustrine Algae Liquids 

II Marine, Reducing 

Conditions 

Marine Algae, Pollen, Spores, 

Leaf Waxes, Fossil Resins 

Liquids 

III Marine, Oxidizing 

Conditions 

Terrestrial-Derived Woody 

Materials 

Gas 

IV Marine, Oxidizing 

Conditions 

Reworked Organic Debris, 

Highly Oxidized Material 

None 

Published Rock-Eval data for the Marcellus shale and the Utica Shale in New York State was plotted on a 

modified Van Krevelen diagram (Figure 3.3) (Weary, 2000). The data show that the Marcellus is primarily 

Type II kerogen with a mixture of Type III and the Utica is primarily Type III kerogen with a mixture of 

Type II. Both shales with these kerogen assemblages are capable of generating liquids and gases. No RockEval data is available for the Silurian Shales in New York. 

Figure 3.3. Published Rock-Eval Data for Marcellus and Utica Shales in New York Plotted on a 

Modified Van Krevelen Diagram. 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Oxygen Index (OI)

Hydrogen Index (HI)

Marcellus Shale - NY

Utica Shale - NY

Type I

Type II

Type III
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 19 - 

3.3 THERMAL MATURITY 

The maturation level of the kerogen is used as a predictor of the hydrocarbon potential of the source rock. It 

also is used to high-grade areas for fractured gas shale reservoir potential and as an indicator for 

investigation biogenic gas within a shale reservoir system. Thermal maturation of the kerogen has been 

found to also influence the amount of natural gas that can be adsorbed onto the organic matter in shale. 

Thermal maturation can be determined by several techniques, including Rock-Eval, vitrinite reflectance, 

thermal altercation index and conodont alteration index. Multiple techniques should be employed to help 

determine thermal maturity of a shale. 

3.3.1 Rock-Eval 

Rock-Eval can be used to assist in determining the thermal maturation level of kerogen. Peters (1986) 

defined the thermal parameters in which Tmax (maximum temperature) can be used to define the dimensions 

of the oil window (Peters, 1986). The top of the oil window is generally assumed to occur between Tmax

values of 435oC and 445oC and the bottom of the oil window occurs at 470oC. Plotting Tmax and hydrogen 

index can show the thermal maturation and kerogen type of the samples. Published Rock-Eval data for the 

Marcellus Shale and the Utica Shale in New York State was plotted using the technique after Peters (Figure 

3.4) (Weary, 2000). This Figure shows the spread of maturity of the samples measured. The samples were 

from different depths and ranged from central New York to western New York. No Rock-Eval data is 

available for the Silurian shales in New York. 

Figure 3.4. Published Rock-Eval Data for Marcellus and Utica Shale. Plotted After Peters (1986). 

3.3.2 Vitrinite Reflectance 

Reflectance of coal macerals in reflected light has long been used to evaluate coal ranks. Reflectance 

measurements have been extended to particles of disseminated organic matter occurring in shales and other 

rocks (kerogen) and have been the most widely used technique for determining maturity of source rock. 

Typical analysis normally shows a distribution of reflectance corresponding to the various constituents or 

400

425

450

475

500

525

0 200 400 600 800 1000

HI

Tmax, oC

Oil Window

Early Gas

Wet Gas

Type III Type II Type I
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 20 - 

macerals of the kerogen. Because humic or vitrinite particles are generally used for reference to the 

coalification scale, the mean random reflectance of vitrinite (Ro) is preferred to other particles. In some 

cases, there may be several groups of vitrinite particles with different reflectance present. In these 

situations, it is recommended that only the group with the lowest reflectance should be used. Other groups 

with higher reflectance are considered “reworked.” Table 3.3 is a breakdown of the different stages of 

maturation with vitrinite reflectance. 

Table 3.3. Vitrinite Reflectance Categories for Thermal Maturity. 

Vitrinite Reflectance Comments 

Ro <0.5 to 0.7% Diagenesis stage, source rock is immature 

0.5 to 0.7% >Ro<1.3 % Catagenesis stage, main zone of oil generation 

Ro >2.0% Metagenesis stage, methane remains as the only hydrocarbon 

(dry gas zone) 

Ro is the mean reflectance in oil. 

Table 3.4 summarizes vitrinite reflectance data from nine wells in the Marcellus Shale (Van Tyne, 1993). 

There is a general trend of increasing thermal maturity going from western New York toward central New 

York. This general trend in the Marcellus Shale is further supported by the vitrinite reflectance data 

reported from drill cuttings in the USGS report by Weary (2000) (Figure 3.5). No vitrinite reflectance data 

has been reported for the Silurian or Ordovician shales. 

Table 3.4. Summary of Thermal Maturity Data; Marcellus , New York. 

Well / County Depth (ft) Ro (%) 

St. Bonaventure , Cattaraugus County 3,600-3,640 1.23 

Portville Central School, Cattaraugus County 4,140-4,180 1.2 

Houghton College #1 Allegany County 2,270-2,290 na 

Houghton College #2, Allegany County 2,380-2,410 1.18 

BOCES Fee #1, Allegany County 3,240-3,290 1.27 

Meter #1, Livingston County 1,570-1,600 1.31 

Alfred University #1, Allegany County 3,950-3,960 1.65 

Hammel #1, Allegany County 4,662-4,690 1.65 

Valley Vista View #1, Steuben County 3,882-3,895 1.65 

Average All Wells / All Depths 1.39 

3.3.3 Thermal Alteration Index 

The uses of progressive changes of color and/or structure of pores, pollen or plant-cuticle fragments is also 

used as an indicator of thermal maturation of the kerogen. Kerogen coloration is reported on a scale of 1 to 

5, and is referred to as Thermal Alteration Index (TAI) (Staplin, 1969). Different types of spore or pollen 

grains can show different sorption values at low levels of maturation. TAI averaged 3.20 for the Rhinestreet 

Shale interval from NY#3 well in Steuben County New York that was cored from 1,203 to 1,263 feet 

(Streib, 1981). Similar TAI values were measured from the NY#4 well in Steuben County, 3.2 for the 

Geneseo (2,970 – 3,080 feet) and 3.4 for the Marcellus (3,780 – 3,842 feet) (Streib, 1981). All samples 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 21 - 

indication maturation levels above 150o

C. No TAI values were available for the Silurian or Ordovician 

shales. 

Figure 3.5. Devonian Vitrinite Reflectance (%Ro) 

3.3.4 Conodont Alteration Index 

The thermal maturity of shales can also be inferred from published conodont alteration indices (CAI), a 

scale of color alteration in conodonts (a marine fossil) (Epstein, 1977). In general, the CAI of a conodont 

increases with depth and temperature as a result of metamorphisim. Table 3.5 summarizes the indices. A 

recent study of thermal maturity in Ordovician and Devonian rocks has been completed by the USGS and 

New York Geological Survey (Weary, 2000). In the Upper Devonian shales, CAI values range from less 

than 1.5 in to 2.5 west to east. In Middle Devonian shales, CAI increases from about 1.5 in western New 

York to 2.5-3 in the central area (Figure 3.6) (Tetra Tech, 1980). Silurian CAI values are similar to the 

Middle Devonian. Upper Ordovician rocks in western New York have CAI values of 2-3, which put them 

within the more advanced stage of wet gas generation. In southern New York, where CAI values are 3-5, 

the Ordovician rocks are prospective for dry gas (Figure 3.7) (Weary, 2000). 

Table 3.5. Conodont Alteration Indices (Streib, 1981). 

CAI Equivalent Ro (%) Hydrocarbon Occurrence 

1 < 0.8 Early-Mature Oil 

1.5 0.7 –70.85 Early-Mature Oil 

2 0.85 – 1.3 Late-Mature Oil 

3 1.4 – 1.95 Wet Gas 

4 1.95 – 3.6 Post-mature Dry Gas 

5 > 3.6 Post-mature Dry Gas 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 22 - 

Figure 3.6. Devonian Conodont Alteration Index (CAI) Isograds. 

 Figure 3.7. Middle and Upper Ordovician Conodont Alteration Index (CAI) Isograds. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 23 - 

4 Natural Gas Resource and Production 

The information and data available regarding the amount of natural gas resource contained in the organicrich shales in New York is dated and only available for the Devonian-age shale. No information or studies 

have been done for the Silurian shales or Ordovician shales in New York or the Appalachian Basin. No 

estimates have been published for the technically recoverable reserves in the Devonian Shale in New York. 

Natural gas production data was not reported to the state of New York prior to 1983. Data prior to this 

period is sketchy and is considered unreliable. Even though production data is now reported to the State, 

many of the shale wells producing today are for home or local use and may not be producing at fullest 

potential or from a reservoir management perspective. Some of these wells are not metered and estimates 

for annual production are provided. As of 2001, there are 8 wells producing from the Devonian-age shale in 

New York. Two wells are producing from Silurian-age shales and no wells are producing from the Utica 

Shale (Ordovician-age). Production data is shown in Figure 4.1, and highlights the annual natural gas 

production from shale wells in New York as well as the average daily production per well and the number 

of producing wells per year. This data is derived from the Annual New York State Oil, Gas, and Mineral 

Resources report published by the Division of Mineral Resources of New York State (NYSDEC, 2002). 

4.1 NATURAL GAS RESOURCE 

The natural gas resource estimates for Devonian-age shales in the Appalachian Basin vary widely. 

Estimates range from a low of 225 Tcf to a high of 2,579 Tcf (National Petroleum Council, 1980, Zielinski, 

1982). The estimates vary based on type of shale included in the analysis (black and or gray), reservoir 

thickness and gas content per cubic foot of reservoir. Estimates for the Devonian Shale resource in New 

York were calculated in the 1980 National Petroleum Council Study, Table 4.1. 

Figure 4.1. New York Shale Gas Production Data from 1981-2001. 

Two estimates were made in the NPC study using either log-based data or sample-based data. The gas 

content for both approaches were the same: 0.6 scf/cf for black shale (>230 API units) and 0.1 scf/cf for 

gray shale (<230 API units). The net reservoir thickness varied for each approach as indicted in the table. 

For the log-based approach, black shale thickness was determined as shale with >230 API units from a 

gamma ray log. For the sample based approach, black and gray shales were identified by color. The area for 

assessment was 19,069 mi2 (National PetroleumCouncil, 1980). 

0

5

10

15

20

25

1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001

Year

Average Daily Production Per Well, 

Mcfd

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Total Annual Production & Producing 

Wells, Mmcf 

Average Daily Production Per Well

Total Annual Productionf

Producing Shale Gas Wells
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 24 - 

New York ranks third in resource, behind Pennsylvania and West Virginia, accounting for 14.5% of the 

Devonian Shale natural gas resource in the Appalachian Basin. Unfortunately, no state-by-state estimates 

were made for technically recoverable natural gas in the 1980 NPC study. 

Table 4.1. New York Devonian Shale Resource Assessment, 1980 NPC Study. 

Study Shale Thickness 

(Feet) 

Resource Base 

(Tcf) 

Resource Base 

(Bcf/Mi2

) 

LOG DATA: 

Black Shale 59 19 0.99 

Gray Shale 2,731 145 7.60 

Total 2,790 164 8.60 

SAMPLE DATA: 

Black Shale 619 198 10.38 

Gray Shale 2,171 115 6.03 

Total 2,790 313 16.41 

In 1992, the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) published a resource assessment of the Devonian Shale in the 

Appalachian (Charpentier, 1993). The assessment, described as qualitative, broke up the Appalachian Basin 

into 19 sub-areas. The approach used by the USGS for each of the 19 play areas was geologic based, and 

were based on structural and stratigraphic criteria. Parameters used to help define boundaries include: 

thickness of black shale, total organic carbon, thermal maturity of organic matter, and structural complexity 

(development of natural fractures). Table 4.2 summarizes the gas-in-place estimates from the study. 

The shale gas potential was rated using a low, moderate and good system. In areas where all of the 

parameters fall within ranges suitable for generation and accumulation of natural gas, a designation of good

is used. In areas where a majority of the parameters fall within favorable ranges and the remaining are close 

to acceptable standards, a designation of moderate is used. In areas where a majority of the parameters do

not fall within acceptable ranges, a designation of low is used. For detailed evaluation parameters within 

each individual play area and the basis for the potential designation, the reader is referred to the original 

USGS open file report. 

As with the 1980 NPC study, no estimates were made for recoverable natural gas for each play area. Six of 

the play areas are in part within the New York State boundaries. Of these six plays, two are rated as good 

(Play 3 and 15), two are rated as moderate (Play 6 and 17) and two are rated as low (Play 16 and 19) 

(Charpentier, 1993). 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 25 - 

Table 4.2. Estimates of In-Place Natural Gas Resources in the Devonian Shale, by Play Area. 

4.2 DEVONIAN SHALE GAS PRODUCTION IN NEW YORK 

Natural gas production in black shales of the Dunkirk, Rhinestreet and Marcellus was established in 

numerous wells, and several small fields in New York during the 19th century. Few details are available for 

these early wells. A review of well records show approximately 100 wells that were drilled with designated 

API numbers for Devonian-age shale production (Figure 4.4). Most of these wells were drilled after 1970. 

At the end of 1999, 10 wells produced 6.3 Mmcf of natural gas from Devonian Shale. The average daily 

flow rate per well (assuming a full 12 months of production) was 1.73 Mcfd. Table 4.3 is a summary of the 

fields with Devonian Shale gas production. 

Table 4.3. Devonian Gas Shale Fields in New York in Order of Year of Discovery. 

Play Natural Gas Resource (Tcf) 

Number* Name Low 

F95

High 

F5

Mean Shale Gas 

Potential 

1 North-Central 17.9 34.2 25.9 Moderate 

2 Western Lake Erie 21.7 31.3 26.5 Good 

3 Eastern Lake Erie 2.1 3.3 2.7 Good 

4 Plateau Ohio 44.4 76.2 59.9 Low 

5 Eastern Ohio 35.2 55.1 44.7 Moderate 

6 Western Penn-York 20.4 28.2 24.3 Moderate 

7 Southern Ohio Valley 19.7 36.2 27.7 Moderate 

8 Western Rome Trough 38.0 74.0 56.0 Good 

9 Tug Fork 13.7 25.9 19.7 Good 

10 Pine Mountain 10.7 18.7 14.6 Moderate 

11 Plateau Virginia 3.9 10.2 7.1 Good 

12 Pittsburgh Basin 76.8 129.9 102.1 Low 

13 Eastern Rome Trough 70.7 132.5 100.3 Good 

14 New River 38.5 91.7 63.1 Low 

15 Portage Escarpment 8.5 21.3 14.6 Good 

16 Cattaraugus Valley 10.4 23.2 16.6 Low 

17 Penn-York Plateau 98.1 195.2 146.0 Moderate 

18 Western Susquehanna 24.1 67.7 44.9 Low 

19 Catskill 22.1 75.8 47.6 Low 

 Basin Total 577.1 1130.8 844.2 

* Basin, Gray shading indicates play area, in part, resides within the state of New York 

Modified from Charpentier, 1993. 

Gas Field Year 

Producing

Zone 

Avg. 

Depth 

(feet) 

IP 

(mcfd) 

Wellhead 

Pressure 

(psia) 

No. of 

Prod. 

Wells 

Status 

As of 

1999 

Cum. Prod. 

Thru 2001* 

(mmcf) 

Lakeshore Belt 1821 Dunkirk 200 10-100? ? 300 (?) ? 52.89 

Naples 1880 Marcellus 1,300 1.5-20 150 (?) 12 Abnd. 32.18 

Dansville 1881 Lower Hamilton 1,000 10-100 50 (?) 7 Prod. 5.57 

Rushville 1902 Lower Hamilton 650 60 35 10 (?) Abnd. Na 

Bristol 1914 Marcellus 650 3-850 50 10 Abnd. Na 

Southern Erie 

County 1920’s RhinestreetHamilton 800 40-150 225 ? na Na 

Rathbone 1931 Nunda, 

Rhinestreet 1,000 100-2,000 225 28 (?) 2.20 

Genegantslet 1964 Upper Hamilton 1,200 2,166 565 3 Na 

Pikes Corners 1978 Devonian Shale 1 Prod. 18.53 

Alfred 1981 Marcellus 3,950 40 1720 1 Abnd. 1.28 

Four Mile 1981 Marcellus 3,600 14 1520 1 Abnd. 

Elmira 1982 Marcellus 2950 86 1 Prod. 9.29 

Cafferty Hill 1982 Marcellus 17 1 Prod. 3.1 

Avoca 1982 Marcellus 2 Prod. 46.89 

Karr Valley 1982 Marcellus 3,480 330 1,720 1 Prod. 15.69 

Modified from Van Tyne, 1983. Discovery year is determined as date of first shale gas production for fields with gas production from other 

horizons.*Cumulative production data are obtained from New York State Oil and Gas Drilling and Production and Mineral Resources Annual reports 

and others sources as available and begins as of 1981. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 26 - 

4.2.1 The Discovery Well and Early Production 

Sometime during 1821, Edward Howard, an owner of a woolen mill in the town of Fredonia, New York, 

was dissatisfied with his water well (shallow and ran dry seasonally) and decided to drill a new well in the 

shale just below his mill. He began simply by “drilling” with an iron bar a few feet long. After drilling a 

few feet into the shale, he observed water and bubbles of gas escaping from the shale. A friend by the name 

of William Aron Hart, a gunsmith of the village, visited the mill from time to time and became interested in 

his friends experiment and its outcome (Orton, 1899). 

William Hart continued working on the hole that Edward had started under the mill until the “drill” broke, 

leaving a portion of the bar “steadfast in the shale” and shutting off the gas flow in the well. Mr. Hart 

abandoned the well and set about drilling another well nearby for gas. He went down successfully about 40 

feet, but found no volume of gas. Still not discourage, he set about looking for the gas veins (fractures) that 

were well known in the area, which had been seeping gas at the surface for centuries. He located his third 

attempt near one of the largest natural gas seeps on the banks of Canadaway creek. He drilled down at least 

26 feet and possibly 70 feet and found what he had been looking for – good gas flow (Orton, 1899). 

William Hart quickly realized the potential of the natural gas, built a crude gasometer to collect the gas and 

laid a gas line using light weight lead pipe, 3⁄4 inch in diameter, to the Abell House (a hotel) and several 

stores on the opposite side of the street of the hotel and began to transport and sell the gas. Around 1830, 

the flow rate from the well was gauged at 880 cubic feet in 12 hours (1.76 Mcfd). The well continued to 

produce and supply the town through 1858 (37 years). A second well was drilled nearby by a newly formed 

gas company called Fredonia Gas Light Company. The well produced about 2 Mcf per day and continued 

to supply the town with natural gas for illumination. Drilling continued into the 20th century. Records 

indicate reports were made of salt water in the wells as early as 1887 and the need to pump the wells up to 

4 times a year and to “never shut them in.” A typical 300-foot shale well cost approximately $300 and the 

gas was sold for $1 per thousand cubic feet around the turn of the century (Orton, 1899). 

During the 1800’s hundreds of shallow gas shale wells were drilled in the area and along the shores of Lake 

Erie, giving rise to the establishment of Lakeshore Field. During these early years, drilling for natural gas 

expanded geographically as well as geologically in New York and elsewhere across the nation. The oldest 

established gas shale field in New York is Naples, located in southern Ontario County. The field was 

discovered in 1880 and 19 wells ranging in depth from 1,220 feet to 1,400 feet were drilled. Twelve were 

completed in the Marcellus, of which 11 were reported to be producing 1-2 Mcfd as of the early 1980’s for 

a local utility (Van Tyne, 1983). Other fields discovered in the 19th century include the Lakeshore Field and 

the Dansville field. The Lakeshore field includes many of the early wells drilled along the shores of Lake 

Erie following the discovery made by William A. Hart in 1821. 

4.2.2 20th Century Production 

During the first half of the 20th century several shale fields were discovered including Rushville and Bristol, 

Southern Erie County, and the Rathbone, Steuben County. The Rathbone field was discovered in 1931 and 

thirty-one wells were drilled in the field. Twenty-four wells were producers, four were dry holes, two were 

plugged and abandoned due to poor performance, and one well produced oil. The wells were typically 900-

1,500 feet in depth and targeted the Nunda and Rhinestreet shales of the West Falls Formation. Reservoir 

pressure was reported as 225 psig and flow rates (IP’s) ranged from 100-2,000 Mcfd (Newland, 1936). 

Gas shows in many wells were reported during drilling and testing elsewhere in southern New York in 

subsequent years, yet only a handful of wells were drilled and completed as shale producers. Little 

information is available for these wells but IP’s reported ranged from small to over 1 Mmcfd. Most of the 

wells were completed in the Lower Hamilton Group, including the Marcellus Shale. The wells were usually 

fracture stimulated which sometimes improved production, but other times killed the well. It is estimated 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 27 - 

that 27 wells were completed as Marcellus producers since the 1960’s. Cumulative production from these is 

unknown. 

Prior to the NYSERDA/DOE program, the last shale gas field formally designated was Genegantslet, in 

Chenango County. In 1964 the Decker #2 well was drilled in the southern part of the town of Smithfield 

and encountered gas in the upper Hamilton. The well tested at 2,166 Mcfd, and was completed in the 

Marcellus Shale. Nine other wells were drilled, but only 3 wells produced gas (Table 4.4) (Van Tyne, 

1983). 

 

Table 4.4. Genegantslet Field (Chenango County) Marcellus Shale Well Data. 

Table 4.5. NYSERDA Wells Drilled to Test Viability of Older Fields. 

Well Name / API # 

County/ 

Field 

Field Discovery 

Date Date 

Tested/ 

Completed 

Formation IP (Mcfd) 

Cum. Prod. 

(Mmcf) Through 

2001 / Status 

Valley Vista View #1 

31-101-15268 

Steuben 

Rathbone 1931 July 

1980 

Rhinestreet 

Marcellus 

Dry 

200 

3.453 

P&A 

Meter Farm #1 

31-051-15480 

Livingston 

Dansville 1881 Sept. 

1980 

Hamilton 

(Marcellus) 411 5.526 

Active 

Elliot #1 

31-123-17347 

Yates 

Rushville 1902 Aug. 

1982 Marcellus Dry 

(water) Dry Hole 

Widmer #1 

31-069-17366 

Ontario 

Naples 1880 Sept. 

1983 

Hamilton 

(Marcellus) 40 1.027 

P&A 

Data from Donohue, 1981, 1984B, and Charpentier, 1993, and New York Production Database. (NYSDEC, 2002) 

Several of the wells drilled as part of the NYSERDA research program had a primary objective to test the 

viability of drilling and completing wells in old fields and using modern technology. These four wells and 

fields are summarized in Table 4.5. 

Well Name Date TD Formation IP, MCFD/Pressure 

Decker #1 1963 3,265 Sand (Silt?) Dry Hole 

Decker #2 1964 2,050 Marcellus Sh 

I0F 1650 Mcf/day down to 1000 Mcf blow after 54 hrs. 

IRP - 600# down to 540# after 2 wks; 1 yr later 1/7/65, 

NYSNGC gauged 2166 Mcf A/5 hrs. blow: RP - 565# 

Decker #3 1964 3,685 Helderburg Lm No show in Marcellus, Dry Hole 

Decker #4 1964 2,002 Marcellus Sh IOF 250 Mcf and FOF 332 Mcf, IRP at 565# 

Flannigan #1 1965 2,462 Unknown “scum” show @ 1110-1130 & gas show 25-50 mcfd @ 

1502-1515 in Hamilton – Dry Hole 

J. Bottle #1 1965 2,015 Marcellus Sh 25 Mcfd @ 1958’ & 2-3 Mmcfd @1975’ / 575# in 5 

hours 

J. Bottle #2 1965 2,100 Unknown Dry Hole 

Collyer 1 1966 2,201 Unknown IOF-6.8 Mcfd in Hamilton, estimated RP-200 # -Dry 

Hole 

Decker #5 1967 6,292 Hamilton 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 28 - 

Following the NYSERDA funded exploration and testing program, several fields were established. 

Although many of the fields were established with only one well, several continued to produce through 

2001. Many of the fields are designated for home use or private use. Production data is often not measured 

and produced volumes vary based on the needs of the user. Cumulative production from those Devonian 

shale wells reporting totaled 288.3 Mmcf. This data is taken from the Annual New York State Oil, Gas, and 

Mineral Resources report published by the Division of Mineral Resources of New York State. 

4.3 SILURIAN SHALE GAS PRODUCTION IN NEW YORK 

Two gas fields have been discovered in Silurian shales (Table 4.6). Meridian Exploration discovered the 

Reeder field in Seneca County. The Ritter #1019-1 well was drilled in June 1989 and was completed open 

hole in the Rochester Shale. Casing was set (4 1⁄2 inch diameter) at 1,549 feet and the well reached a total 

depth of 1,782 feet (driller). The well was completed as an open-hole natural flow with a reported IP of 

2,258 Mcfd. The well has produced 48.32 Mmcf through 2001. 

Table 4.6. Silurian Gas Shale Fields in New York in Order of Year of Discovery. 

Meridian Exploration discovered the Neilson Road Pool in Seneca County. The Neilson #1146-1 well was 

drilled in January 1990 and was completed open hole in the Sodus Shale. Casing was set (7” diameter) at 

1,161 feet and the well reached a total depth of 1,865 feet. The well was completed as an open-hole natural 

flow with a reported IP of 6,038 Mcfd. The well has produced 83.94 Mmcf through 2001. An additional 

test was drilled by Belden and Blake Corporation. They unsuccessfully tested the Marcellus and Rochester 

shales in their Wonderview Farms 1-A well drilled in Schuyler County in early 2002 and the well was 

plugged and abandoned. 

From 1981 to 2001, cumulative production from the two Silurian gas shale wells was 132.3 Mmcf. This 

data is taken from the Annual New York State Oil, Gas, and Mineral Resources report published by the 

Division of Mineral Resources of New York State (NYSDEC, 2002). 

Gas Field Disc. 

Year 

Producing 

Zone 

Avg. 

Depth 

(feet) 

IP 

(mcfd) 

Wellhead 

Pressure 

(psia) 

No. of 

Prod. 

Wells 

Status 

As of 

1983 

Status 

As of 

2001 

Reeder Creek 1989 Rochester 

Shale 1,782 2,258 568 1 Abnd. Prod. 

Neilson Road 

Pool 1990 Sodus Shale 1,865 6,038 1 Prod. Prod. 

Source: NYSDEC, 2002 Production Database 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 29 - 

5 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEVONIAN SHALE WELLS 

The most complete data packages available in the public domain for shale gas wells in New York come 

from the research & development (R&D) wells drilled by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). NYSERDA 

sponsored three formal Devonian Shale exploration programs from 1980 to 1983 (Donohue, 1984B). DOE 

drilled two wells in the late 1970’s prior to the NYSERDA programs to characterize the shale as part of 

their Eastern Gas Shale Project (EGSP) (Struble, 1982). In total there were 15 research wells drilled with 

different objectives and testing protocols used. Additional support for many of the NYSERDA wells came 

from the U.S. DOE. Several of the wells were cored and thoroughly analyzed, completed, treated and 

production tested. Tables 5.1 and 5.2 summarize the research wells. Figure 5.1 shows the location of the 

R&D wells relative to the shale gas fields in New York. Several of the wells produced gas for commercial 

use and four wells are still producing as of 2001. 

Figure 5.1 Location of R&D Wells in New York and Associated Fields. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 30 - 

 Table 5.1. Research and Development Devonian Shale Test Wells Drilled in New York. 

Well Name 

API # County Date 

TD 

(feet) 

TD 

Fm. Protocol 

Alfred Univ. #1 

31-003-16203 Allegany 1981 3987 Onondaga 

Drill cuttings - chemical analysis, 

mineralology, organic content, x-ray 

diffraction, pressure transient testing. 

NYSERA #3-6213 

(EGSP NY-#1) 

31-003-13549 

Allegany 1978 5325 Queenston Core 

BOCES #1 

31-003-16227 Allegany 1981 3350 Onondaga 

Drill cuttings - chemical analysis, 

mineralology, organic content, x-ray 

diffraction, pressure transient testing. 

Dann #1 

31-101-15404 Steuben 1980 1400 Rhinestreet? NA 

Elliot #1 

31-123-17347 Yates 1982 900 Onondaga NA 

Houghton College 

#1 Fee 

31-003-14253 

Allegany 1979 2333 NA 

Drill cuttings - chemical analysis, 

mineralology, organic content, x-ray 

diffraction, pressure transient testing. 

Houghton College 

#2 Fee 

31-003-16202 

Allegany 1981 2471 Onondaga 

Chemical analysis, mineralology, 

organic content, x-ray diffraction, 

pressure transient testing. 

Hulsebosch #1 

31-015-17318 Chemung 1982 3030 Onondaga NA 

Meter #1 

31-051-15480 Livingston 1980 1642 NA 

Drill cuttings - chemical analysis, 

mineralology, organic content, x-ray 

diffraction, pressure transient testing. 

Portville Central 

School #1 Fee 

31-009-16232 

Cattaraugus 1981 4227 Onondaga 

Drill cuttings - chemical analysis, 

mineralology, organic content, x-ray 

diffraction, pressure transient testing. 

Scudder #1 

(EGSP NY-#3) 

31-101-15382 

Steuben 1980 1300 Rhinestreet Core 

St. Bonaventure 

Univ. #1 Fee 

31-009-16214 

Cattaraugus 1981 3996 Onondaga 

Drill cuttings - chemical analysis, 

mineralology, Organic content, x-ray 

diffraction, pressure transient testing. 

Tiffany #1 

31-107-17788 Tioga 1982 4457 Onondaga NA 

Valley Vista View 

#1 

(EGSP NY-#4) 

31-101-15268 

Steuben 1980 3850 Onondaga pressure transient testing and Core. 

Widmer #1 

31-069-17366 Ontario 1983 1220 Onondaga NA 

NA; Not Available/Not Reported 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 31 - 

Table 5.2. Research & Development Devonian Shale Wells Completion Summary 

Well Name 

API # County/ Field Phase Date 

Tested/ 

Completed 

Formation 

IP 

(Mcfd) 

Calculated 

Open Flow 

(Mcfd) 

Cum. Prod. 

(Mmcf) Through 

2001 / Status 

Alfred Univ. #1 

31-003-16203 

Allegany 

Alfred 

1 June 

1981 Marcellus 40 35 

1.284 

P&A 

BOCES #1 

31-003-16227 

Allegany 

Belmont 

2 June 

1981 Marcellus 73 105 

4.135 

P&A 

Dann Farm #1 

31-101-15404 

Steuben 

Rathbone 

1 Aug. 

1980 

Rhinestreet 270 10 

0.074 

P&A 

Elliot #1 

31-123-17347 

Yates 

Rushville 

3 Aug. 

1982 Marcellus Dry 

(water) 0 Dry Hole 

Houghton College 

#1 Fee 

31-003-14253 

Allegany 

Houghton 

0 Nov. 

1978 Marcellus 1,300 130 

24.750 

P&A 

Houghton College 

#2 Fee 

31-003-16202 

Allegany 

Houghton 

2 July 

1981 Marcellus 77 23 

0.788 

P&A 

Hulsebosch #1 

31-015-17318 

Chemung 

Elmira 

3 Aug. 

1982 Marcellus 86 (89) 545 (23) 

7.086 

Active 

Meter Farm #1 

31-051-15480 

Livingston 

Dansville 

1 Sept. 

1980 

Hamilton 

(Marcellus) 411 95 

5.526 

Active 

NYSERA #3-6213 

31-003-13549 

Allegany 

Karr Valley 

0 

Jan. 

1981 

Marcellus 333 

15.69 

Active 

Portville Central 

School #1 Fee 

31-009-16232 

Cattaraugus 

Portville 

2 June 

1981 Marcellus 22 18 1,130 

P&A 

Scudder Farm #1 

31-101-15382 

Steuben 

Rathbone 

1 Aug. 

1980 Rhinestreet dry 0 

0 

Unknown 

St. Bonaventure 

Univ. #1 Fee 

31-009-16214 

Allegany 

Four Mile 

2 June 

1981 Marcellus 14 19 

2.592 

P&A 

Tiffany #1 

31-107-17788 

Tioga 

Cafferty Hill 

3 Aug. 

1982 Marcellus 17 9 (23) 

1.658 

Active 

Valley Vista View 

#1 

31-101-15268 

Steuben 

Rathbone 

1 July 

1980 

Rhinestreet 

Marcellus 

dry 

200 

0 

110, 142 

3.453 

P&A 

Widmer #1 

31-069-17366 

Ontario 

Naples 

1 Sept. 

1983 

Hamilton 

(Marcellus) 40 12 

1.027 

P&A 

Data from Donohue, 1984B, Charpentier, 1993, and NYSDEC, 2002 New York Production Database. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 32 - 

6 RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION 

Reservoir characterization in gas shale reservoir systems focuses primarily on natural fractures because 

most known productive gas shale reservoirs are gas saturated with extremely low permeability and required 

multiple sets of open natural fractures for commercial production of natural gas. There are other properties 

that are also important in characterizing the reservoir potential of shale. These properties are covered below 

and information is provided for the shales in New York where available. Unfortunately, there is very little 

published data on the reservoir properties of the shales in New York. The majority of the data comes from 

the three wells cored and studied as part of the US DOE Eastern Gas Shale Project. Additional data has 

been published on drill cuttings. 

6.1 NATURAL GAS COMPOSITION 

The composition of produced natural gas can have an impact on the overall economics of a gas shale play 

as well as provide information related to its source. In several fractured shale gas plays, the composition of 

the produced natural gas impacts economics and provides evidence of microbiologic and thermogenic 

processes (Walter 1997 and 2001). Unfortunately, very little gas chemistry and gas and water geochemistry 

is available from shales in New York. Thus it is difficult to attempt to draw comparisons to other gas shale 

plays, such as the shallow biogenic Antrim shale play in northern Michigan Basin. 

The best source of natural gas composition from gas shales in New York was from the USBM project that 

looked at produced natural gas composition across the United States (Moore, 1987). In this report, six wells 

with natural gas production from Devonian Shale were analyzed along with one water well and one natural 

seep. The data shows methane concentrations of 80-95% and concentrations of ethane and propane from 

3% to 15%. The heating value of the gas measured (BTU) ranges from 901 to nearly 1300 BTU’s. The 

majority of the data points were sampled in 1979. No detailed geochemistry is available to investigate the 

biogenic or thermogenic processes. No gas composition data is available for either the Silurian or 

Ordovician shales of New York. 

6.2 NATURAL FRACTURES 

Open, orthogonal or multiple sets of natural fractures increase the productivity of gas shale reservoirs due 

to the extremely low matrix permeability of shales (Hill, 2000). Natural fracture formation was addressed 

in Section 2.6. Finding these natural fracture systems are critical to commercial production of natural gas 

and is considered one of the primary exploration strategies. Identification and characterization of natural 

fractures is typically done either at the surface through outcrop studies or in-situ through the use of 

geophysical logs or core. In addition, indications of natural fractures are often associated with natural gas 

shows while drilling a well, especially on air or under-balanced. 

In New York, only a minimum amount of oriented core has been taken in the shale reservoir systems for 

natural fracture characterization and no formation imaging logs or down-hole cameras results have been 

published for natural fracture characterization. Three wells were cored in New York during the DOE 

Eastern Gas Shale Program and natural fracture characterization was published for them (Cliff Minerals, 

Inc., 1980B, 1980C, and 1981).

Table 6.1 summarizes the natural fractures identified in the oriented core from the Devonian Shale for the 

three research wells. No significant shows were associated with the cored intervals. The NY #1 

(NYSERDA #3-6213) well was completed in the Marcellus Shale (which was not cored) and was 

producing intermittently at the end of 2001. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 33 - 

Table 6.1. Devonian Shale Natural Fracture Orientation from Oriented Core. 

 NY #1 NY #3 NY #4 

Group Unit Depth (ft) 

Fracture 

Orientation Depth (ft) 

Fracture 

Orientation Depth (ft) 

Fracture 

Orientation1 

Canadaway Dunkirk Shale 370-515 N85o

W (1) 

N85oE (2) 

Java Hanover Shale 515-546 

963-984 

Pipe Creek 984-1018 N85oE(2) 

West Falls Angola Shale 1018-1021 

1328-1355 

Rhinestreet Shale 1335-2345 

N35-45oW (4) 

N70-90oW (7) 

N70-90oE (14) 

1203-1263 N2o

E (2) 

N48o

E (1) 

Sonyea Cashaqua Shale 2345-2359 0 

2486-2495 

Middlesex 2495-2629 N45-65o

E (4) 

N25oW (1) 

Genessee West River 2629-2664 N40-70o

E (1) 

(4) 

2723-2730 

Genundewa 2730-2737 N20oW (1) 

Pen Yan Shale 2737-2866 N70-80o

W (3) 

N35oE (1) 

Lodi Limestone 2866-2876 0 

Geneseo Shale 2876-2924 N35o

E (1) 

N80oW (1) 3010-3080 N50o

W (1) 

Hamilton Tully Limestone 2924-2929 0 3080-3084 N50o

E - N60oE 

(major) 

Marcellus Shale 3790-3842 N50o

W -

N60o

W (minor)

1

 Six feet of the Onondaga formation was cored and included 2 joints, 3 microcracks and 10 faults - major trend is N20oWN30o

W. (Cliff Minerals, Inc., 1980B, 1980C, and 1981) 

Based on available information, cumulative production from the Devonian Shales is 15.89 Mmcf. The 

greatest number of fractures from the core analysis was in the Rhinestreet shale, which was not completed 

in this well. The NY #3 (Scudder #1) well was not completed and was plugged and abandoned. The NY #4 

(Valley Vista View #1) well tested the Rhinestreet which proved to be poor and was eventually completed 

in the Marcellus Shale and produced for a short period of time before it was plugged and abandoned. 

Unfortunately, due to completion circumstances and poor well performance, no observations can be made 

for improved well performance related to the presence of orthogonal natural fractures. 

No core or subsurface natural fracture descriptions are available for the Silurian or Ordovician shales. 

6.3 NATURAL GAS STORAGE CAPACITY 

In shale reservoirs, natural gas is stored three ways: as adsorbed gas on organic material, as free gas within 

the rock pores, and as free gas within the system of natural fractures. These different storage mechanisms 

affect the amount of gas stored as well as the speed and efficiency of gas production. 

6.3.1 Adsorption 

Natural gas can be adsorbed onto the surface area of organic material in shale and to some degree onto the 

surface area of clays (if dry). The process of adsorption is controlled by properties such as the amount of 

organic carbon present, the thermal maturity of the kerogen, reservoir temperature, pressure, in-situ 

moisture of the shale and gas composition (Hill, 2002). 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 34 - 

In many fractured gas shale reservoir plays, TOC has been correlated to total gas content. Figure 6.2 shows 

two correlations of gas content with TOC from the Antrim Shale in the Michigan Basin and the New 

Albany Shale from the Illinois Basin (Hill, 2002). It should be noted that these correlations are specific to a 

given play and should be calibrated with measured data for different depths and reservoir pressure 

gradients. TOC can be derived from geophysical logs such as density (Schmoker, 1980). Correlations have 

been developed in several gas shale plays using the density log to calculate the gas in place in shale with 

calibrated data (Decker, 1993 and Zuber, 2002). 

Based on the linear relationship of gas content to TOC, one would expect a similar relationship for 

adsorption isotherms. This was first established in the Antrim Shale by the Gas Research Institute, and has 

been further developed in other fractured shale plays (Zuber, 2002 and S.A. Holditch, 1995). A large 

number of methane adsorption isotherms were run and the relationship of increasing storage capacity to 

TOC was apparent. 

Figure 6.3 shows an example of multiple isotherms from an Antrim Shale well in the Michigan Basin. As 

the TOC value increases, the methane storage capacity is also increasing. As with the relationship to gas 

content, this relationship is play-specific and should be calibrated with measured data as the organic 

material changes with origin and maturity. 

However, no gas content data or sorption isotherms have been measured in the Devonian Shales of New 

York or for the Silurian and Ordovician shales. These are the type of data that should be collected to fully 

understand the storage and transport properties of natural gas in shale. 

Figure 6.2. Comparison of Gas Content vs.Total Organic Carbon in Two Gas Shale Plays 

0

40

80

120

160

200

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

TOC (Wt. %)

Gas Content (scf/ton)

Antrim Shale

New Albany Shale
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 35 - 

Figure 6.3. Multiple Methane Adsorption Isotherms, Antrim Shale Well, Michigan Basin.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Pressure, psia

Adsorbed Methane, scf/ton

14.19% 15.29% 7.41%

8.11% 4.86% 5.94%

6.89%

6.4 POROSITY

In conventional reservoirs, porosity and fluid saturations are among the most important reservoir properties 

to determine. This is also true for gas shale reservoirs. Shale can have significant amounts of porosity and 

significant amounts of oil and free gas in that porosity. Even in older shales such as the Ohio Shale in the 

Appalachian Basin or the Antrim Shale in the Michigan Basin, porosity can range up to 15 percent, and 

free gas can occupy up 50% of the porosity. It is important to be able to assess this potential, primarily 

from well logs, which should first be validated and calibrated from core analyses. 

6.4.1 Historical Data 

Although core data was collected and porosity was measured in three wells in New York, little effort was 

made to understand fluid saturations and develop well log interpretations during the US DOE EGSP. The 

most comprehensive porosity data was measured on NY #1 well in Allegany County, New York. Porosities 

were measured using the mercury intrusion method as well as determined from density data (Kalyoncu, 

1979). A wide range of porosity was reported from the core, from a low of 0% to a high of 18.3% on a 10-

foot basis. No data was reported on fluid saturations. 

6.4.2 New Methodology 

The key data needed from core analyses to calibrate the log analyses are porosity and the saturations of gas, 

oil, and water. Prior to 1987, shale core analysis data in the Appalachian Basin was sparse and believed not 

to be very reliable. As a result of the several Gas Research Institute funded programs from 1987 to 1993, 

new core analysis methods were developed for measuring porosity and fluid contents (Gas Research 

Institute, 1989, 1993 and 1996). These new methods, which rely primarily on crushing of the core, show 

much higher porosity and free gas contents than previously reported. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 36 - 

Procedures for these new methods, and some of the results, are summarized in the following (Gas Research 

Institute, 1993). 

1. The cores (conventional full diameter, or rotary sidewall) should be kept preserved (sealed) until 

the time of analyses to avoid fluid alteration or kerogen oxidation. 

2. Bulk density of each shale sample is first measured by weighing and by mercury immersion. 

3. Each shale sample is crushed. 

4. Oil and water is extracted from each weighed sample using boiling toluene (Dean-Stark method) 

for one/two weeks. The water is condensed into a sidearm collector. Sample size should be > 50 

grams. The shale sample is then dried in an oven at roughly 230oF for one/two weeks, and 

weighed. Extracted oil volume is calculated from the weight loss, less water collected. In some 

shales (such as Antrim) the kerogen can oxidize during the extraction and drying process that 

may cause a weight gain and interfere with the material balance. For these shales, this is 

prevented by using a nitrogen blanket during extraction and by using a vacuum oven for drying. 

5. Grain volume of the dried shale sample is then measured with helium in a standard Boyle’s Law 

device. 

6. Pore volume and porosity (Ø) are derived from the bulk volume and the grain volume. Water 

and oil volumes are subtracted from the pore volume to find the gas volume, and fractional 

saturation of each fluid (SG, SO, and SW). 

Table 6.2 shows typical shale properties using this new core analysis for three basins. Note all the 

measurements are at ambient conditions, assuming no stress loading. Detailed analysis has shown a 

reduction of 0.5 p.u. to adjust the measurements to reservoir stress for comparison to geophysical log 

results (Gas Research Institute, 1996). 

Table 6.2. Typical Shale Properties from Core Analysis, Three Basins. 

Basin, Shale Ø, % Sg, % So, % Sw, % 

Number of Wells, 

Core Samples 

Analyzed 

Appalachian, Ohio 4-9 15-50 0-20 35-70 4/519 

Michigan, Antrim 8-12 10-50 10-45 20-70 2/249 

Ft. Worth, Barnett 5 N/A N/A N/A 1/9 

6.5 PERMEABILITY

Permeability is a primary reservoir property required for economical natural gas production from gas shale 

plays. Matrix permeability of shales is extremely low. However, wells produce natural gas at rates that 

require permeability to be much greater than measured in core. This “bulk” permeability of the reservoir 

incorporates the natural fracture system and is normally determined through well testing and production 

data analysis. 

Older Devonian Shale literature reports matrix permeabilities in shale from less than 0.01 md to 1 md 

(Soeder, 1988). Absolute permeability measurements on NY #3 and NY #4 showed permeability in the < 

10 to 191 microdarcy range (Swartz, 1982). These values were believed to be high due to the presence of 

microfractures due to stress release, core handling, and/or coring induced. More recent measurements using 

a novel testing protocol found matrix permeabilities in unfractured shale to be 0.2 x10 –8 md to 5.5 x10 –8

md. The importance of matrix permeability was further defined through simulation. For matrix 

permeability (Km) values within the range of 10 –9 md Km < x10 –6 md, Km is one of the important controls 

on permeability. For matrix permeabilities less than 10 –9 md, recovery is too low to be of economic 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 37 - 

interest. For matrix permeabilities > 10 –6 md, recovery is essentially independent of Km and is productivity 

is more controlled by natural fracture properties and spacing (Soeder, 1988). 

As stated above, pressure-transient testing is typically done to characterize bulk permeability. In 1983, 

NYSERDA commissioned additional testing of eight research wells completed in the Marcellus Shale in 

New York. The primary objective was to estimate recoverable reserves and deliverability of the wells and 

to evaluate stimulation procedures used on the wells (Lynch Consulting Co., 1983). 

The testing rationale for the wells incorporated modified isochronal testing. The general procedure 

consisted of flowing the wells at two increasing rates by use of a critical flow prover. The flow periods 

were designed to test ensure that the formation was tested. Where possible, the two rates would be used to 

examine skin factors. The test was followed by an extended shut-in period (Lynch Consulting Co., 1983). 

The testing program was only partially successful. There were difficulties with obtaining reliable data 

which was attributed to fracture fluid buildup in the wellbore and that gas production at low pressures is 

likely from desorption and the associated analysis problems. No bottom hole pressure gauges were used, 

which would of assisted data analysis. Table 6.3 is a summary of the well performance characteristics from 

three of the eight wells (Lynch Consulting Co., 1983). The permeability-thickness product is generally 

similar to other pressure testing analysis from Devonian Shale wells (0.1 – 10 md-ft) (Lynch Consulting 

Co., 1983). 

Table 6.3. Well Performance Characteristics from Three Marcellus Shale Completions in New York. 

Well 

Slope 

((M)psia2

/cpx106) 

PermThickness 

(md-ft) 

Thickness 

(ft) 

Permeability 

(μd) Skin 

Valley Vista View #1 8.5 3.25 15 216 -2.0 

Houghton College #1 1.6 7.28 26 203 -2.3 

Houghton College #2 16.1 0.14 34 4.1 -2.6 

No matrix or bulk permeability measurements were available for the Silurian or Ordovician shales in New 

York. 

6.6 RESERVOIR PRESSURE

Knowledge of reservoir pressure is critical in determining the amount of resource in place and reserves, and 

is an important input parameter for reservoir simulation. Reservoir pressure can be determined from 

pressure transient testing. 

Pressure surveys were conducted on all eight research wells described in the previous section. The surveys 

were run following stimulation, subsequent to clean-up and shut-in operations. The pressure data shows a 

reservoir pressure gradient between 0.46 to 0.51 psia/ft. (Lynch Consulting Co., 1983). This is higher that 

the reservoir pressure gradient found in other producing Devonian Shale gas fields in West Virginia and 

Kentucky (0.4 to 0.12 psia/ft). 

6.7 ROCK MECHANICS

Because of the nature of the permeability and distribution in the reservoir system, most gas shale wells are 

either completed as a natural producer or stimulated in order to achieve commercial production. During the 

U.S. DOE EGSP and GRI Gas Shale programs, studies were conducted on measuring the mechanical 

properties of Devonian Shale to assist in the evaluation, optimization and understanding of hydraulic 

fracturing. Historically, the early Devonian Shale wells in New York were either completed openhole as 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 38 - 

natural producers or “shot” with nitroglycerin. In the 1980’s, the wells were typically hydraulically 

fractured using a nitrogen foam and proppant to stimulate the well through casing perforations. This section 

will focus on the work conducted in New York. 

Extensive mechanical properties testing were done on oriented core samples from 30 wells taken during the 

U.S. DOE EGSP. This testing included directional ultrasonic velocity, point load, directional tensile 

strength and characterization of pre-testing fractures (Gregg, 1986). The overall analysis concluded that 

tests conducted under zero confining pressure are not useful for determining the orientation of maximum 

horizontal stress (σHmax). This work was conducted on NY #1, NY #3 and NY #4 wells. Overall fracture 

orientation from NY #1 well was N60oE+15o. A secondary fracture orientation was reported N90oE+15o. 

Overall fracture orientation from NY #3 well in the Rhinestreet Shale interval was N90o

E+15o. A 

secondary fracture orientation was reported N60o

W+15o. For the NY #4 well, overall fracture orientation in 

the Geneseo Shale was N60o

W+15o. The Marcellus Shale interval has a preferred fracture orientation 

N30oW+15o for this well. The present day stress direction (maximum horizontal stress) in the New York 

region is reported as N60o

E (Gross, 1991). 

Fracture toughness was measured on five wells from the EGSP (Swartz, 1982). Two of the five wells were 

NY #3 and NY #4. The average fracture toughness value (KIc) for all five wells was 860 psi √in. The 

highest fracture toughness was measured on NY #3, 1202 psi √in. The average fracture toughness values 

for NY #3 was 1085 psi √in and for NY #4 was 848 psi √in. (Swartz, 1982). 

The most extensive study on in-situ stress in the Devonian section was conducted in three boreholes drilled 

in Steuben County, New York near the town of South Canisteo (Evans, 1989A). The wells were located 

approximately 12 miles southeast of NY #1 well. During this study, 75 openhole stress measurements were 

made in the three wells from the Dunkirk Shale through the Tully Limestone. Readers are referred to the 

paper for more detail and information on the testing and analysis. The results of the study are summarized 

as follows (Evans, 1989A): 

1. Horizontal stresses in the shales undergo a major transition in magnitude at a stratigraphic level 

that is coincident with a group of sand beds near the base of the Rhinestreet shale. 

2. The principal drop in stress corresponds to an offset in Sh and SH of 508 psi (3.5Mpa) and 1,305 

psi (9 Mpa) respectively. 

3. Above the group of sands, a “trust” regime conditions prevail, and the least horizontal stress in the 

shales is at least as great as the vertical stress. 

4. Below the sands the regime is strike slip with both horizontal stresses showing lateral uniformity. 

5. Stresses in the quartz-rich and limestone beds are substantially higher that the surrounding 

mudstones. 

6. The orientation of maximum principal stress as determined by induced fracture direction is ENE 

throughout the section. 

7. Significantly different orientations of fractures were obtained for adjacent tests in which almost 

identical ISIPS were observed, suggesting that the fractures quickly reorient themselves to 

propagate normal to the least principal stress direction. 

8. Vertical traces were observed in those tests where ISIPs apparently reflect Sv, suggesting that 

rotation to a horizontal fracture was also rapid. 

Further analysis by the authors found that the major systematic drop in stress level that occurs near the base 

of the Rhinestreet Shale (on the basis of local and regional strain data) corresponds to the top of the section 

that held abnormal high pore pressures (Evans, 1989B). The implications of this study suggest that 

hydraulic fracturing of the Rhinestreet Shale and intervals above could result in abnormally high treating 

pressures with the potential for the creation of horizontal fractures, at least in the region studied by the 

authors. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 39 - 

7 EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES 

The following two sections outline strategies for exploration and development associated with fractured gas 

shale reservoirs in New York. The strategies are not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather provide 

operators and interested parties with methodologies, approaches and ideas to assist them in evaluating and 

developing the large natural gas resource that resides in fractured gas shale reservoir systems. 

7.1 EXPLORATION STRATEGIES 

Exploration strategies for gas shale plays should focus on locating areas with significant natural gas 

resources present that also have sufficient permeability (both matrix and bulk) for economic production. 

7.1.1 Geologic Mapping 

The evaluation of a shale gas play should consider the geological circumstances that may have created a 

favorable environment for the deposition and accumulation of shales and the generation of hydrocarbons. 

Geologic mapping pertaining to formation thickness, depth and structure are basic requirements, as well as 

cross-section generation to view lateral changes in lithology and in well log response in the gamma-ray 

curve, and to identify zones that may indicate the presence of gas. 

7.1.2 Formation Evaluation 

Significant progress has been made in the area of formation evaluation for Devonian Shales using 

geophysical logs. GRI research has developed a log model based on core and log analysis from a large data 

set in the Appalachian Basin. This model has been extended to other shale plays such as the Antrim Shale 

and Barnett Shale (Gas Research Institute, 1996). When combined with other diagnostic tools such as the 

mud log, borehole television and temperature log, geophysical log analysis can be used to evaluate 

completion intervals in gas shales. 

Like most of the Appalachian Basin, wells in New York are typically drilled on air. This limits the type of 

geophysical logs that can be run in an air-filled borehole. A typical logging suite in the Appalachian Basin 

for the GRI log analysis includes dual induction, temperature, litho-density with photoelectric adsorption 

index (Pe), sidewall neutron, special gamma ray and borehole television (Gas Research Institute, 1996). 

Log analysis in shales involves both standard techniques and special techniques. Depth shifting, 

environmental corrections and standardization are part of the pre-processing steps (Gas Research Institute, 

1996). 

Because of the complex mineralogy of shales, log responses to various minerals present is taken into 

account before porosity and fluid saturations are determined. The GRI log model groups the minerals into 

five categories (Gas Research Institute, 1996): 

1. Quartz (includes quartz, calcite, dolomite, k-feldspar and plagioclase) 

2. Clay (illite, kaolinite and chlorite) 

3. Pyrite (pyrite, ankerite and siderite) 

4. Kerogen, and 

5. Porosity 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 40 - 

Once porosity is determined as part of the analysis, water saturation and bulk volume hydrocarbon are 

calculated. If a wellbore can be filled with fluid as part of the logging process, natural fracture 

identification logs can be incorporated into the geophysical logging program. 

Because the GRI log model was developed in the Appalachian Basin, it should be directly applicable for 

the Devonian shales in New York and also applicable to other shales with modifications as required by the 

various minerals present in the shale. Generally speaking, the most favorable completion intervals are those 

with the highest porosity (> 4.0%), most fractures and best sustained mud log shows. Kerogen-rich shales 

will typically have the best gas-in-place (free and adsorbed), the highest natural fracture density, and lowest 

stress (Gas Research Institute, 1996). However, it should be noted that in some parts of the Appalachian 

Basin, gray shales (organic-lean) are commercially productive. 

7.1.3 Natural Fracture Identification 

Operators have historically used multiple techniques to locate areas of increased natural fracture density. 

While seismic technology continues to advance, locating fracture systems in organic-rich shales remains 

elusive. Thus operators have attempted to correlate other techniques such as surface lineament analysis, 

outcrop studies, magnetics, and various geologic mapping approaches to look for areas where fracturing 

may be present due to basement structure, regional and local structure, or other tectonic influences. 

With most naturally fractured gas shale reservoirs, finding indicators of productivity can be helpful with 

regard to evaluating a completion and identifying pay. This is often done during the drilling and logging 

phase of a well. 

When drilling a well, natural gas shows are considered indicators of potential in many reservoir systems. 

This is especially true when drilling with air or underbalanced. In tight, naturally fractured reservoirs such 

as shales, strong shows of natural gas can also be considered indicators of potential. Good shows are 

characterized by high natural flow rates that do not degrade (blow down) quickly, but are carried to total 

depth of the well. In New York, many of the wells drilled on air often have shows of natural gas associated 

with shale sections in the well. In some circumstances the shows are so strong that the drilling is terminated 

at the show and the well is completed naturally open-hole. 

However, if a well does not have a show of natural gas while drilling on air it does not mean that the well 

has poor reservoir potential. Gas shows are normally associated with natural fractures penetrated by the 

drill bit. In the Appalachian Basin, the majority of the natural fractures present at depth are vertical or 

nearly vertical. Unless the fracture spacing is very close, the likelihood of hitting a vertical natural fracture 

with a vertical wellbore is extremely small. 

As mentioned earlier, geophysical logs can be used to help identify and characterize intervals with natural 

fractures present. A temperature log and noise log can identify intervals that are producing natural gas. In 

shale reservoirs, these indicators are often directly associated with natural fractures in the borehole. For 

natural fracture characterization, other logs are required. 

Three log types are most often used for fracture characterization. They include microresistivity, acoustic 

reflectance, and borehole television logs. The first two devices required a liquid-filled borehole for 

utilization. The borehole television device is ideal for an air-drilled hole. Each of the tools can determine 

natural fracture strike. The microresistivity and acoustic reflectance tools can determine dip magnitude and 

the borehole camera can only infer magnitude (Gas Research Institute, 1996). Research has shown that it is 

not the number of natural fractures encountered that make a good well, rather the presence of intersecting 

natural fractures. Table 7.1 summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the tools (Gas Research 

Institute, 1996). 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 41 - 

Table 7.1. Comparison of Fracture Identification Devices Used in Appalachian Basin. 

Tool Advantages Disadvantages 

Microresistivity 

High resolution 

Good strike/dip quantification of 

both natural and induced fractures 

Data routinely corrected for 

borehole deviation and magnetic 

declination 

Low operational sensitivity 

Expensive 

Requires liquid in the borehole 

Limited coverage with a single 

pass (pad device) 

Joint identification dependent 

largely upon degree of spalling 

Large spalls difficult to 

quantify 

Acoustic Reflectance 

Essentially full borehole coverage 

usually results in superior fracture 

identification 

Good strike/dip quantification of 

natural; fair for induced fractures 

Expensive 

Requires liquid in the borehole 

Joint identification dependent 

largely upon degree of spalling 

Large spalls difficult to 

quantify 

Tools not routinely corrected 

for borehole deviation and 

magnetic declination 

Borehole Television 

Quick and inexpensive 

Can be run in air filled borehole 

High resolution visual image easily 

reviewed and interpreted with TV 

and VCR 

Full borehole coverage 

Gas/fluid entry detection 

Can properly identify/quantify 

many large spalls as joints 

Good strike quantification, 

qualification of dips 

Light intensity varies around 

borehole, slight view 

obstructions by arms 

No or poor dip quantification 

Poor identification of induced 

fractures 

Joint identification dependent 

largely upon spalling 

Limited identification of 

bedding 

7.2 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Development strategies can be either focused on drilling and completing new wells or adding shale 

intervals in existing wells prior to abandonment often called pay additions. Historically, most shale wells in 

New York have been associated with the drilling of a new well. Because of the extremely low permeability 

of shale, development strategies will typically include stimulating the reservoir to maximize productivity. 

7.2.1 Stimulation 

Historically, shale wells in the Appalachian Basin were completed open-hole either naturally (nostimulation) or shot with some form of propellant such as nitroglycerin. This is true for Devonian Shale 

wells in New York as well. As new forms of reservoir stimulation technology were developed, they were 

applied to the shale plays in the Appalachian Basin. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 42 - 

With the advent of hydraulic fracturing around the middle of the 20th century, shale wells have experienced 

a wide range of fracturing techniques in an attempt to provide the optimal stimulation with respect to 

fracture length and productivity. Today, nitrogen-based foam fracturing is the primary technique used in 

vertical shale wells in the Appalachian Basin. Foam-based systems are preferred because of the low fluid 

loss, lower amount of liquid pumped into the reservoir, and energy assist in flowing the wells back. Other 

techniques are also used today, but they are area-specific. 

In New York, most of the early wells were completed naturally open-hole or shot with explosives such as 

nitroglycerin or judamite. During the early 1980’s all of the research wells were stimulated with nitrogen 

foam system. All of these treatments were single-stage jobs pumped down casing and used from 25,000 to 

80,000 pounds of proppant. Table 7.2 is a summary of eight foam fracture treatments (Lynch Consulting 

Co., 1983). Five of the wells have fluid volumes recovered during initial clean-up operations. The average 

fluid recovery is approximately 50%. This leaves 50% of the treatment fluid in the reservoir, which caused 

fluid loading problems short-term during testing and long-term during production operations. None of the 

wells used tubing and downhole pumps to assist in unloading the wells early in their life. 

Table 7.2. Fracture Treatment Summary of New York Devonian Shale Wells. 

Well 

Treatment 

Date 

Total Sand 

(lbs) 

Total Fluid 

Pumped 

(bbls) 

Total Fluid 

Recovered 

(bbls)* 

Fluid 

Remaining 

(bbls) 

Valley Vista View #1 12/81 80,000 312 na 

Houghton #1 10/79 50,000 333 na 

Meter #1 11/80 76,000 289 na 

Houghton #2 9/81 60,000 333 168 165 

St. Bonaventure 8/81 60,000 333 164 169 

Portville 7/81 60,000 333 164 169 

Alfred 7/81 60,000 333 146 187 

BOCES 7/81 60,000 333 159 174 

* Recovered during initial clean up of wells 

New fluid additives have been developed over the past decade as well as new design considerations, such 

as flowback and quality control, that have improved hydraulic fracture performance (Ely, 1988). These new 

advances should improve well performance in New York as well. Other stimulation techniques such as 

straight nitrogen gas fracturing and liquid CO2 and sand should be experimented with in the different shale 

reservoir systems in New York Abel, 1981, Yost, 1993). Coiled tubing fracturing technology has recently 

been applied to the Devonian Shale in the Appalachian Basin with good results (Stidham, 2001). This 

technology is effective in both new wells and in old wells for restimulation or recompletion operations. 

7.2.2 Horizontal / High Angle Wells 

Since the early 1980’s high-angle and horizontal wells have been contemplated, studied and drilled in the 

Devonian shales of the Appalachian Basin. Much of the work in this area has been sponsored by the U.S. 

DOE. Horizontal well drilling technology continues to advance and numerous improvements have been 

made in drilling systems, wellbore orientation and drilling motors. The majority of the high-angle and 

horizontal wells drilled in the Devonian Shale have been technical successes, but marginal to poor 

economical successes. Most of the wells required some form of stimulation, which increased well costs 

dramatically. 
D. G. Hill, T.E. Lombardi and J.P. Martin 

- 43 - 

With improved technology and reduced drilling costs, operators are beginning to reconsider horizontal and 

high-angle wells in tight naturally fractured reservoirs. This technology might be applicable in New York 

shales. Fracture spacing in New York may be larger that other shale plays where vertical wells and 

hydraulic fracturing is applicable. For certain formations, areas and depths in New York, hydraulic 

fracturing may create horizontal fractures (or very complex fractures) which might reduce the effectiveness 

of this fracturing. High-angle well bores may also provide a mechanism to contact more shale and increase 

the chances of intersecting multiple natural fracture sets. This may also be a viable technology to drill in or 

near older gas shale fields. These are a few of the reasons to investigate this technology as a development 

strategy in New York. 

7.2.3 Recompletions 

With several thousand existing well bores in New York, the potential to add additional pay zones that are 

behind pipe at low incremental costs can be very attractive, especially when the estimated reserves cannot 

support the drilling and completion of a new well. This is how the Lewis shale in the San Juan Basin is 

being developed today (Frantz, 1999). In New York, there are multiple pay zones that can be tested and 

added to a well. From the Ordovician Utica Shale to the Upper Devonian Rhinestreet Shale, the potential 

for economical pay additions is increased due to large number of reservoirs to evaluate. 

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