This data-file tracks a sample of Marcellus shale well completion parameters, such as average lateral length, stage count, proppant and water use and shut-in pressure. Together, these variables explain 40-50% of the variance in shale well productivity, implying the other 50-60% is down to skill and technology, from operators and service providers?
This data-file evaluates data from the completion reports for 100 wells in the Pennsylvania Marcellus, based on detailed disclosures from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and a representative sampling of recent Marcellus production wells, especially in 2019, 2022 and 2025.
Specifically, we tracked lateral length (ft), true vertical depth (ft), total depth (ft), average pressure (psi), number of frac stages (#), perforations per stage (#), water use in fracturing (M gals), pump rates (bpm), shut-in pressure (psi), proppant type and mesh, and specific frac chemicals.
How do these fracturing parameters correlate with production rates, as measured on a 30-day or 90-day IP basis? R-squareds with production were 21% for 24-hour shut-in pressure, 15% with lateral length or number of frac stages, 13% with water use (but 0% with pump rate), 4% with perforations per stage and 2% with proppant concentrations. Thus maybe c40-50% of the total variance in well productivity is explained by these raw parameters.
The other 50-60% of well productivity, which is really the lion’s share, is likely explained by the skill and technical capabilities of shale E&Ps, and supporting service companies, which are increasingly using big data and AI (examples here and here).
The data into shale well completion parameters strongly imply that technology can improve the economics of shale gas, economics of shale oil, and continue increasing US shale oil and gas production even amidst potential resource maturation.
Especially in 2025, a large portion of the wells had production rates that surprised to the upside, relative to their lateral lengths. Full data are available in the data-file.