April BRGS Meeting: Horizontal Drilling, Shale Plays, and Hydraulic Fracturing - The Evolution of Accessing Hydrocarbons in Unconventional Reservoirs

Over the past two decades, advancements in horizontal drilling and completion technologies have driven a substantial increase in oil and gas production across the United States. These methods have enabled operators to efficiently develop unconventional reservoirs by drilling vertically to the target formation and then extending the wellbore horizontally through hydrocarbon-bearing zones. In parallel, modern completion techniques have made it possible to economically extract resources from low-permeability formations that were previously considered uneconomic.

This presentation examines the continued prominence of unconventional resource plays across key U.S. regions, including major shale basins, and reviews the geologic characteristics that make these reservoirs viable targets for development. We’ll discuss the evolution of drilling and completion strategies, including the trend toward longer lateral sections, increased stage density, and improved stimulation designs. The discussion also highlights how advances in geosteering, data analytics, and pad drilling have enhanced operational efficiency, reduced costs, and minimized surface impacts. Collectively, these innovations have reshaped the domestic energy landscape by unlocking vast quantities of oil and natural gas from formations once thought to be inaccessible.

Corey Shircliff, PG, is a Senior Geologist at Cavern Solutions, working on underground storage and other injection projects.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Beloit College (Beloit, WI) in 2011, Corey attended graduate school at Louisiana State University, where she received her Masters in Geology in 2014.  After working in the energy industry in Houston, Tx, Corey returned Baton Rouge where she oversaw permitting and compliance of injection wells, underground storage caverns, and other waste injection wells. While working, Corey earned her Masters in Legal Studies with a concentration in Oil, Gas, and Energy Law (May 2021).