Upper Devonian Shale Poised to Offer Lucrative Opportunities
Gas drillers in Western Pennsylvania recently stumbled upon a discovery which holds the promise and excitement of a possible new source of natural gas. This discovery, found deep beneath the surface in a third layer of shale, may not be quite as lucrative as the Marcellus or Utica shales; however, the unique mixture of shale and sandstone layers could very well prove to be an added source of energy in the U.S. Referred to as Upper Devonian, this discovery which resides approximately 6,000 – 6,500 feet beneath the ground above the Marcellus shale, is projected to provide a strong boost in shale production as well as add to the growing promise of its own formation.
Although it is still very early in its stages of development, energy companies throughout Pennsylvania and into West Virginia have already jumped on the drilling of Upper Devonian wells. To date, approximately 20 wells have been drilled into the Upper Devonian shales in Pennsylvania with plans for at least 22 more wells to be drilled throughout the upcoming year. The average Upper Devonian well currently produces approximately 3- 4 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. While this is significantly less natural gas production than a Marcellus shale, it remains a promising find worthy of both attention and research, producing an average of 172 barrels of oil and 825 barrels of natural gas liquid in a given day.
As with many great finds in the natural gas sector, a notable new discovery brings the promise of new opportunities for both employers and job seekers alike. While the Upper Devonian shales continue to be explored, they provide additional profitable endeavors for natural gas companies and lead to further job creation for those looking to grow their career within the natural gas sector. Full development of the Upper Devonian shales is expected to take decades and formations of the shales themselves will take generations to fully develop. This in turn leads to a steady future for companies and job seekers looking to thoroughly examine the potential of drilling Upper Devonion wells.
With so many new discoveries taking place in natural gas energy, it is extremely important to partner with an experienced company that is constantly in the know with industry trends and developments. Whether you are a natural gas company looking to bring on a team of dedicated drillers or a job seeker looking to grow your career, FootBridge Energy can help you secure your next opportunity. If you are looking for additional news or resources on energy industry job placement, contact the professionals at FootBridge Energy today!
