Survey Demographics

Hart Energy researchers completed interviews with eight industry participants in the downhole completions segment in the Marcellus/Utica region. Participants include eight sales engineers with well service companies. Interviews were conducted during the second week of November 2014.

Part I. – Survey Findings

Among Survey Participants:

  • Slickwater Is Dominant in Marcellus [See Question 1 on Statistical Review]. Six respondents reported slickwater dominates fracking practices in the Marcellus, but two mentioned some clients use crosslink or hybrids on some jobs. This could reflect some of the jobs in Western Pennsylvania where operators have been drilling a couple of wells from a multi-well pad past the Marcellus down to the deeper Utica. The Utica there is producing large volumes of gas and more oil and natural gas liquids. These would likely use a hybrid or crosslink frack.
    • Anecdotal Information/Quotable: Mid-Tier Service Provider: “Most jobs in Marcellus are still slickwater fracs, but there are a few Pennsylvania clients that use some crosslink or hybrid fracks.”
  • No Expectation of Change in Near Term [See Question 2 on Statistical Review]. All respondents expect no changes in fracking practices in the near term. Spacing and methodology is generally consistent. However, different parts of the play call for longer laterals while in other areas only 5,000-6000-ft. laterals are allowed based on acreage restrictions.
    • Anecdotal Information/Quotable: Top Tier Operator: “Things are very stable now in the Marcellus. It will be interesting to see if more operators drill the Utica for liquids in W. Pennsylvania when things stabilize. The volumes of gas and the bonus of natural gas liquids and oil will be interesting.
  • Spacing Between Frac Stages ~200-ft. [See Questions 3a, 3b on Statistical Review]. Spacing ranges between 150 ft to 250 ft in the play for an average 200-ft. spacing over the region. The longer 10,000 ft laterals are averaging 50 stages.
    • Anecdotal Information/Quotables: Mid-Tier Service Provider: “We have seen shorter laterals be closer than 200 ft on stages, but the longer laterals stick very close to 200 ft spacing.”
  • Types and Amounts of Sand Biggest Difference [See Question 3c on Statistical Review]. Most Marcellus fracs are very similar. Like many plays, the huge sand volumes are evident in the Marcellus as well. The most common sand is 40/70, followed by 100 mesh, then 20/40 as seen in question 8b on the Statistical Review.
  • Plug and Perf is Reported as Most Common [See Question 4 on Statistical Review]. All respondents reported that Plug and Perf completions are the standard fracking technique in the Marcellus play. Sliding sleeves are only used with coiled tubing fracks.
    • Anecdotal Information/Quotable: Top-Tier Service Provider: “Marcellus has become almost totally plug and perf fracks unless someone is trying a coil tubing frack. In many of those cases, there are new styles of sliding sleeve in use.”
  • Downhole Tools, Service Providers Sufficient [See Question 5a and 5b on Statistical Review]. All respondents reported that the number of downhole tool providers is sufficient within the region. No new downhole tools or methods are reported in the play.
    • Anecdotal Information/Quotable: Mid Tier Operator: “Standard downhole tools are common here. There is very little new at this time.”
  • Multi-Well Pads Common in the Marcellus Shale, Average of Six Wells Per Pad [See Question 6 on Statistical Review]. Average number of Marcellus wells reported per pad is ~6. One respondent remarked there are many more wells per pad (10) being used by a few operators who would likely drill a couple of wells into the Utica formation from the same pad. The most common range is four to eight wells per pad, however.
  • Zipper Fracks Account for ~78% of Completions Reported [See Question 7 on Statistical Review]. The percentage of zipper frack completions among respondents is ~78%. The remaining 22% of wells are fracked using the Stack Frack method or solo frack on one well at a time. This number is substantially different from last quarter and may reflect differences within the region.
  • Sand Remains Most Common Proppant in Region [See Question 8a and 8b on Statistical Review]. Natural sand is reported as the most common proppant in the region and averages ~12 million pounds per well among respondents.

Part II. – Statistical Review

Downhole Completions [Focus on Marcellus Shale]

Total Respondents = 8 [Service Providers =8]

1. What common practices are used in your area for completions?

Slickwater: 6

Crosslink or hybrid: 2

2. Do you see that changing over the next 3 to 6 months?

No changes expected: 8

3a. Is spacing between stages closer now than a year ago?

Same: 8

3b. What is the average distance between frack stages in your area?

200-ft spacing: 3

200-250-ft spacing: 2

175-200-ft spacing: 1

150’ -200’ spacing: 2

Average of actual ranges given: ~200-ft.

3c. How are you fine tuning your frack program downhole?

Increased sand volumes: 4

No real changes: 4

4. What fracking technique is most common in your area?

Plug and Perf: 8

5a. Would you characterize the supply of downhole tools in your area as excessive, sufficient or insufficient to meet early 2014 demand?

Sufficient: 8

5b. Are there any new downhole tools being tried in your area?

Nothing new: 8

6. What is the average number of wells being completed per pad in your area?

5-6 wells: 3

4-6 wells: 1

6 wells: 3

4-8 wells: 1

Average: ~6 wells per pad

7. What percentage of fracks drilled from pads are zipper fracs vs. individual fracs?

Zipper Frack Stack Frack # Responses

75% 25% 1

100% 90% 3

50% 50% 4______

Avg 78% 22% 8

8a. How much proppant (in lbs.) are you using per well?

10-20 million lbs: 1

12 million: 1

12-16 million: 1

15-16 million: 1

15-18 million: 1

10-15 million lbs: 3

Average per well: ~12 million pounds

8b. On a percentage basis, how much proppant in your area is used by type?

Average Among Respondents

Natural Sand only*: 98%

Other: 2%

  • 40/70 most common sand
  • 100 mesh second most common sand
  • 20/40 sand used by some