WVU to Help Optimize Natural Gas Production
Wheeling
WV Intelligencer
31 January 2011
By Casey Junkins
WHEELING - Reports show the Marcellus Shale natural gas rush sweeping
across West Virginia could bring billions of dollars and thousands of
new jobs to the state over the next several years.
Now, the state's largest academic institution is looking to help
"optimize gas production in the region," as West Virginia University's
College of Engineering and Mineral Resources is using data-intensive
science in an effort to save time and resources during gas development.
To help fund the research, WVU is receiving a $354,000 grant from the
nonprofit Gas Technology Institute.
Shahab Mohaghegh, a professor in the university's Department of
Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, said the technology being
applied is "new and unconventional."
"This is very new technology that has been extensively and exclusively
used here at WVU," he said. "People in the industry are quite
interested to see how our research in this area progresses."
Mohaghegh is leading a team of researchers in applying the latest
technology to reservoir modeling. He is schooled in the application of
artificial intelligence and data mining in the petroleum industry.
According to Mohaghegh, Intelligent Reservoir Modeling - a process that
allows drilling companies to prepare more effective and efficient
drilling plans - approaches the reservoir simulation and modeling from
the opposite angle. Using this new technology leads to savings of both
time and research resources to obtain accurate predictive models. Over
time, more wells and more historical data enhance the results of the
model.
By knowing precisely where the gas is and the best way to retrieve it,
natural gas drillers like Chesapeake Energy, AB Resources, Trans Energy
and others will have a better chance to gather the fuel, thus
optimizing production.
As West Virginia legislators consider ways to regulate the Marcellus
play - including possibly raising fees for drilling wells from $600 to
$15,000 - many Northern Panhandle residents are collecting sums of
money via lease and production payments reaching as much as $5,000 per
acre and 19-20 percent, respectively. Some legislators are concerned
that having one Department of Environmental Protection inspector for
every 4,917 wells places an unrealistic burden on the inspectors.
However, other legislators and industry leaders believe raising the
cost of permits from $600 to $15,000 will destroy the industry by
discouraging new development.
The Gas Technology Institute, which sponsored the $354,000, has more
than 65 years experience in the development and deployment of
technology solutions. GTI programs have resulted in nearly 500
products, 750 licenses and more than 1,200 associated patents.
Mary Dillion, communications specialist for WVU's College of
Engineering and Mineral Resources, said she was "not at liberty to say"
who was partnering with the university in conducting the research.
Mohaghegh did not immediately return calls seeking additional comment.