‘Just Frac It:’ E&Ps Find Oil, Gas Treasure Remaining in L48 Basins
Wildcatters are finding success in new Lower 48 plays including the Eagle Ford’s Pearsall, the Midland Basin’s Dean and the Utica. Continental Resources’ Harold Hamm said some plays have been picked over with little success but, “that doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
Dean, Dean and More Dean: Dawson Wells Reach 15 MMbbl Milestone
The sheet of tight Dean sandstone, up to 300 ft thick, that sits between Spraberry and Wolfcamp in the Midland Basin has already made more than 15 MMbbl since 2020 from just 43 wells in Dawson County alone. Here’s a look.
E&Ps IP’ing 76%-Plus Oil from New Irion County Wells in Midland Basin
Drillers in Irion County are stepping up the pace this year, D&C’ing already as many wells as were brought online in all of 2024. The county has a “bad reputation” for being gassy but is showing up with 76%-plus oil wells.
Coterra’s Rigs ‘Stay Camped Out’ in Delaware Basin Mega-DSU Drilling
With 57 wells already in one “row” development, Coterra Energy has 16 more underway, plus rigs at work on two more mega-DSU developments totaling 90 wells.
Civitas Makes $300MM Midland Bolt-On, Plans to Sell D-J Assets
Civitas Resources is adding Midland Basin production and drilling locations for $300 million. To offset the purchase price, Civitas set a $300 million divestiture target “likely to come” from Colorado’s D-J Basin, executives said.
Vital, SM: Woodford-Barnett Wildcats Flush with Barrels in Southern Midland
An initial SM Energy test made 250,000 boe in its first eight months online. Vital Energy is reporting more than 150,000 gross boe per 10,000 ft of lateral in its first-six-month output.
Occidental to Up Drilling in Permian Secondary Benches in ‘25
Occidental Petroleum is exploring upside in the Permian’s secondary benches, including deeper Delaware Wolfcamp zones and the Barnett Shale in the Midland Basin.
M&A Target Double Eagle Ups Midland Oil Output 114% YOY
Double Eagle IV ramped up oil and gas production to more than 120,000 boe/d in November 2024, Texas data shows. The E&P is one of the most attractive private equity-backed M&A targets left in the Permian Basin.
Pickering Prognosticates 2025 Political Winds and Shale M&A
For oil and gas, big M&A deals will probably encounter less resistance, tariffs could be a threat and the industry will likely shrug off “drill, baby, drill” entreaties.
Shale Outlook Permian: The Once and Future King Keeps Delivering
The Permian Basin’s core is in full-scale manufacturing mode, with smaller intrepid operators pushing the basin’s boundaries further and deeper.