The company"s first horizontal well in the Ardley, part of the Upper Cretaceous Scollard formation topped at 400-900 m, is capable of flowing dry coalbed methane but at rates of 35-40 Mcfd, comparable to an adjacent vertical well. Early test data indicate that drilling fluids damaged the coal seams, and stimulation failed to overcome the damage.
A more aggressive stimulation technique is to be tested on a vertical well before being tried in the December 2006 horizontal penetration.
The fluid system chosen to drill the first horizontal well was a compromise between possible formation invasion effects and hole stability concerns. The company will use an "in balance" fluid system on the next horizontal well.
Richards calls Ardley
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