Current Status of the Multiwell Experiment

The Multi-Well Experiment (MWX) is a research oriented field laboratory whose objective is to develop the understanding and technology to allow economic production of the several years supply of natural gas estimated to be within the low permeability, lenticular gas sands of the Western United States. Features of MWX include: (1) three closely-spaced wells (115-215 ft, 35-66 m) for reservoir characterization, interference testing, well-to-well geophysical profiling, and placement of diagnostic instrumentation adjacent to the fracture treatment; (2) complete core taken through the formations of interest; (3) a comprehensive core analysis program; (4) an extensive logging program with conventional and experimental logs; (5) determination of in situ stresses in sands and bounding shales; (6) use of various seismic surveys and sedimentological analyses to determine lens morphology and extent; (7) use of seismic, electrical potential, and tilt diagnostic techniques for hydraulic fracture characterization; and (8) a series of stimulation experiments to address key questions. This paper presents the current MWX accomplishments resulting from the 1983 field season which featured the drilling of a third well and the first stimulation experiment.