Horizontal drilling
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| Revision as of 15:20, 2 October 2008 Tcopley (Talk | contribs) (drill is sent down vertically a mile or so underground and then turned) ← Previous diff |
Revision as of 15:38, 2 October 2008 Tcopley (Talk | contribs) (cost) Next diff → |
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| In order to tap natural gas with '''horizontal drilling''' typically a drill is sent down vertically a mile or so underground and then turned at a ninety degree angle horizontally into the shale. | In order to tap natural gas with '''horizontal drilling''' typically a drill is sent down vertically a mile or so underground and then turned at a ninety degree angle horizontally into the shale. | ||
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| + | Horizontal wells are much more expensive to drill than vertical ones. Costs may run between $4 million and $7 million U.S. for a horizontal shale well. Vertical wells can be drilled for only $1-2 million U.S. | ||
Revision as of 15:38, 2 October 2008
In order to tap natural gas with horizontal drilling typically a drill is sent down vertically a mile or so underground and then turned at a ninety degree angle horizontally into the shale.
Horizontal wells are much more expensive to drill than vertical ones. Costs may run between $4 million and $7 million U.S. for a horizontal shale well. Vertical wells can be drilled for only $1-2 million U.S.
