What Is The History of The Barnett Shale?
Mitchell Energy drilled the first gas well in the Barnett Shale in 1981. After studying the Barnett Shale, the company could see its potential but knew drilling would be difficult because the natural gas was literally hiding in the source rock layers, which would have to be broken up to release the gas. After 20 years of research, the introduction of horizontal drilling earlier this decade made it possible to access the gas reserves contained within the Barnett Shale. (source) The Barnett Shale has acted as an important source and sealing cap rock for conventional oil and gas reservoirs in the area. It was thought that only a few of the thicker sections close to Fort Worth would support economic drilling. It was not until the 1980’s with new advances in horizontal drilling and well fracturing technology that the potential of the Barnett Shale was realized. Significant drilling activity did not begin until gas prices increased in the late 1990’s.
