Marcellus Well Goes Horizontal... Knox PA

This week The Progress News returned to the Stone Energy Inc. Marcellus Ashbaugh well site #1, just northeast of Knox at the intersection of Bus Mong and Grove Roads. A mile before reaching the site one could see the newly arrived Marcellus drill rig tower visible over the tops of the trees. (View video at end of story)

The horizontal rig is much larger than the vertical unit seen in late September at the site. The rig moved in from Montrose County, took nine days to set up, and the drilling of the horizontal well was commencing the very afternoon of our visit.
Stone Energy’s well superintendent Rocky Harris has moved in for the duration of the drilling. According to Mr. Harris it will take 15 days running 24 hours a day to complete the well. First steps are to drill and place 20 inch diameter casing to over a depth of 320 ft., followed by an insert and concrete encasement of 13 3/8 inch pipe, and then set and cement in 2524 ft. of 9 5/8 inch casing. This too will protect and guarantee no contact or migration to or from ground water.
After the steel and cement casing is completed drilling will continue to 4,300 feet.  Where upon backing out 300' and cementing in the hole, the drill will begin to turn at 4,000 feet and gradually turn to be fully horizontal by the time it reaches the Marcellus at below 5,200 feet. Harris said they will then drill over 5,000 feet in the Marcellus shale. The five person crew will work 12 hour, before the second shift takes over.
While on site it is clear activity has increased and safety is a prime concern. The frac pond still empty is now fenced, warning signs, and life preservers are in place. Access is now more limited. Without hard hats, steel toed shoes, safety glasses and flame retardant clothing, the news crew had to stay well outside the drill pad area. A heavy duty plastic liner is visible covering the pad area so as to capture any fluids or spills.
Mr. Harris indicated that the horizontal drill rig, when done at Ashbaugh, will move to the Stone Energy’s Emerick well site on Ogden Road, before heading for West Virginia. Mr. Harris’ computer screen lights up as he monitors cameras to keep up with all activity on site. He has been drilling wells since 1970 and takes on the responsibility of drilling the Marcellus horizontal wells with confidence and that sense he knows what he is doing.