Natural gas is found throughout the world in underground formations, such as sandstone, carbonates, coal and shale. These resources are accessed by drilling vertical, horizontal or multi-lateral wells to the target formation. Various completion techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing, are then used to create an effective connection between the well and the targeted hydrocarbon-containing formation, thereby providing a pathway for the gas to be produced

A brief overview of the drilling and completion process for a typical shale gas development is outlined below. Many of the steps described are common to all oil and gas well planning and operation efforts, regardless of well design or the formation being targeted for development.

• Once a target formation has been identified and appropriate land leases have been acquired, environmental and regulatory reviews are conducted to assess related environmental impacts. Social and local issues are addressed, and stakeholder engagement commences. The permitting process then begins as prescribed by federal, state and local regulatory requirements.
• Before drilling begins ConocoPhillips' engineers, geoscientists and environmental employees work with regulatory staffs to collect and analyze information on the geology and surface conditions of the potential drill site. Drilling, surface use and water management plans are developed to maximize natural gas production while protecting the environment and minimizing our overall footprint.

• Following the construction of a well pad, a large hole is drilled to a shallow depth. A relatively short length (typically 40 to 120 feet) of large-diameter steel pipe (conductor casing) is set to stabilize the ground at the top of the well.
• Drilling continues to a depth below the base of usable water. This depth is specified by state or federal regulators and is based on local geology. While drilling this section, drilling mud – a mixture of fresh water and clay – is pumped into the hole to cool the drill bit, remove any cuttings, and create a boundary between the well and surrounding rock.
• The drillpipe and bit are removed, and a steel casing is inserted. Cement is pumped through the casing, filling the annular space between the outside of the casing and the wellbore. This creates a sealed container that extends from the surface to below the base of freshwater zones. The blowout preventer is then installed at the surface.
• Following a series of tests, drilling resumes until it reaches the kick off point – when a specialized motor is added to the drilling assembly that allows the curved and horizontal sections of the well to be drilled. The kick off point is typically thousands of feet below the freshwater zones.
• Once the target depth is reached (based on the length of the horizontal section required), the drilling assembly is removed and steel casing is inserted through the entire length of the well. More cement is pumped through the casing, creating another cement-reinforced container.
• Next, the casing is perforated at the desired depth along the horizontal section to access the shale. Then a pressurized fluid is injected down into the well. This step is called hydraulic fracturing.
• The fluid is a mixture consisting of water, sand and a small amount of chemicals – some of which are found in common household items or even food products. The fluid penetrates the shale and creates cracks, or fractures, in the rock. The sand or ceramic particles, called proppant, being carried by the fluid are deposited in the narrow fractures, propping them open so gas can flow into the well.
• A plug is set inside the casing to isolate the stimulated section of the well. The entire perforate - inject - plug cycle is then repeated at regular intervals along the horizontal section of the well. Finally, the plugs are drilled out allowing the gas and fluids to flow into the wellbore and then up to the surface inside the casing or tubing.
• The gas/fluid mixture is separated at the surface, and the fracturing fluid (also known as flowback water) is captured in steel tanks or lined pits. The fracturing fluids are then disposed of via government-approved methods.
• The entire well construction process generally takes only two to three months, compared to the 20 to 30-year productive life of a typical well.