DFW Airport Flying Higher from the Barnett Shale
DFW Airport just happens to have a very fortunate location: it sits above the Barnett Shale, a mineral formation deep beneath North Texas. Covering thousands of square miles and resting a half-mile underground, the Barnett Shale is among the nation's richest deposits of efficient, clean-burning natural gas.
DFW was already a vital economic engine for North Texas - and with more than 18,000 acres of land and minerals, it is also a major force in what some call the energy boom of our generation.
Thanks to its resources and expertise, Chesapeake Energy was chosen to partner with DFW, and was able to commence drilling its first DFW wells in May 2007, nearly one year ahead of schedule. This brings the advantages of this important energy source to the surface even sooner - along with millions of dollars in economic development, including increased tax revenue, new jobs and strong business growth. Together, Chesapeake and DFW are making history, helping fuel North Texas' future.
Currently, Chesapeake has drilled more than 70 wells, and 49 of them are producing clean-burning natural gas our state and nation are depending on.Go to Top
DFW Seismic Testing:
Seisimic testing was conducted at DFW Airport before natural gas drilling began. While this common method identifies underground accumulations of oil or natural gas by sending and recording the return of sound waves, it had never before been conducted at an international airport. The testing went off without a hitch and was deemed a success by DFW Airport in a letter to Chesapeake. Click here to read the letter.DFW Project timeline:
August 2006: A landmark lease is signed granting Chesapeake exclusive rights to explore for and produce natural gas on 18,000 acres beneath DFW International Airport.
November 2006: Five-phase seismic testing program begins at the airport. All testing is conducted at night, since fewer night flights mean more accurate results.
March 2007: Seismic data is interpreted to determine drilling pad and wellsite locations. Construction work begins on drilling pads and wellsites.
May 2007: Drilling begins with the first horizontal well. Multiple wells will be drilled on a single padsite, which total approximately 50 pads in the airport development area.
July 2007: Project ramps up to include five rigs simultaneously drilling at DFW.
September 2007: DFW awards Chesapeake its Excellence in Innovation and Technology Award for their work with the M/WBE Program. Natural gas production begins.
February 2008: To date revenue from total production reaches $8 million.
DFW Well Report:
Proudcing Wells: 58
Wells Spud: 83
Wells Drilled: 79
Wells Completed: 61
Drilling Rigs: 4Go to Top
DFW Airport's first well:
Click on the image below to watch a time-lapse video of the first well developed at the
DFW Airport.
