City of Grand Prairie

Phase 1: Seismic Phase

The Seismic Phase is the process of acquiring 3-D seismic information to evaluate the subsurface. “Thumper Trucks” are used during this process.

Phase 2: Drilling Phase

The Drilling Phase is the process of constructing the drill site area and drilling through the subsurface. Typically a well takes 20 to 45 days to drill.

Phase 3: Completion Phase

Completion Phase is the process of fracture stimulating or "fracking" the well to allow the natural gas to flow. It can take 3 to 4 days to fracture and complete the well for production.

Fracking a well to allow natural gas to flow

Phase 4: Production Phase

Production Phase, the quiet, long-term phase, is the process of producing the natural gas from the well and transporting it via pipelines to market. A wellhead or “Christmas tree” is placed on top of the existing well site to control and regulate the flow of gas. This phase can last approximately 30 to 50 years.

A wellhead or Christmas tree is placed on top of the existing well site to control and regulate the flow of gas

Phase 5: Abandonment Phase

Abandonment Phase occurs once production is complete. The well is plugged, all of the equipment and debris is removed from the site, and the site is abandoned.