Surface and subsurface fault and fracture systems with associated natural gas production in the Lower Mississippian and Upper Devonian, Price Formation, southern West Virginia

Production from natural gas deposits is often enhanced by fault and fracture systems associated with reservoirs. This study presents analyses of fault and fracture systems within the Mississippian Price Formation in Southern West Virginia using subsurface well data and fracture data from surface analogs. The Price was analyzed at outcrops near the Allegheny Structural Front and in the Allegheny Plateau. Subsurface data analyses included mapping and modeling of the Price, fault delineation, cross section construction, and fractured zone identification. Production data was used to assess the potential for fractures and faults to enhance gas production. Fracture densities from outcrop were controlled by mechanical unit thickness, lithology, and deformation. Fault displacement ranged from 150-450 feet and major fault strike was 41-47 degrees. Production correlated well with faults from structure models but poorly with joint models. It was thus determined that joints are secondary to faults in gas production for the area.