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Barnett Shale >> Overview

Barnett Shale Overview

The Barnett Shale is a hydrocarbon-producing geological formation of great economic significance to Texas. It consists of sedimentary rocks. The productive part of the formation is estimated to stretch from the city of Dallas west and south, covering 5,000 square miles (13,000 km²) and at least 18 counties.

Some experts say that the Barnett Shale is the largest onshore natural gas field in the United States. The field name for the productive portion of the Barnett Shale formation has been designated as the Newark, East Field by the Texas Railroad Commission, according to the Railroad commissions. 

Geology

The Mississippian Barnett Shale of the Fort Worth Basin (FWB) (figure 1) is a “shale-gas” system composed of a mixture of laminated siliceous mudstone, laminated argillaceous lime mudstone (marl), and skeletal argillaceous lime packstones. Newark East field, the largest gas field in Texas, is developed in this Barnett “shale-gas” system. The Barnett Formation continues to be an active target for shale gas in the FWB, as well as in the adjacent Permian Basin. Much effort has been devoted to understanding exploration methods, completion techniques, organic content, and maturation in this system.  Source : University of Texas