Bakken Production Sets Another Record for Producing Wells - February 2014

April 16, 2014 Kirk Eggleston

In February 2014, the number of producing wells in North Dakota reached an all-time record high of 10,186. The information was released in the North Dakota Industrial Commission's (NDIC) Director's Cut for Aril 2014. The number of producing wells in North Dakota has risen month over month since the beginning of the year.

Approximately 94% of all oil production in February came from the Bakken and Three forks formation - 892,399 b/d. Another 6% came from legacy conventional pools.

Weather had the most significant impact on production in January and February. In the month of February alone, there were 18 days with temperatures five or more degrees below normal. Four days were recorded where wind gusts were too high for completion work. During this time frame, Hess's Tioga natural gas plant expansion plans were delayed; and company officials cited poor weather conditions as the cause. As a result, approximately 100 wells in North Dakota had to be shut-in to reduce flaring. In March, Hess began selling gas from its' Tioga plant.

“NDIC Director Lynn Helms commented, “the drilling rig count was pretty much unchanged from January to February, and the number of well completions was up slightly from 60 to 70. Days from spud to initial production decreased 8 days to 114. Investor confidence appears to be growing. There were still over 100 wells shut in for the Tioga gas plant conversion in an attempt to minimize flaring, but the biggest production impact was still the weather.”

Highlights from the NDIC's Director's Cut

Jan Oil - 935,126 b/d
Feb Oil - 951,340 b/d
Feb Oil - 892,399 b/d from the Bakken and Three Forks (94%)
Jan Gas - 1,013,142 MCF/day
Feb Gas - 1,063,756 MCF/day
Jan Producing Wells - 10,114
Feb Producing Wells - 10,186 (preliminary)(Record)
7,065 Wells or 69% are now unconventional Bakken – Three forks wells
3,121 wells or 31% produce from legacy conventional pools
Jan Permitting - 253 drilling and 0 seismic
Feb Permitting - 180 drilling and 5 seismic
Mar Permitting - 250 drilling and 2 seismic

U.S. Energy Corp. and Abraxas Petroleum Provide Bakken Operations Update

April 11, 2014 Kirk Eggleston

U.S. Energy Corp. and Abraxas Petroleum released operational updates this week in the Bakken. The two companies interests are not connected.

U.S. Energy Corp. and Abraxas Petroleum are also active in the Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas.

Abraxas Petroleum Williston Basin Operations Update

Abraxas is active in McKenzie County, ND. The company's Jore 1H, 2H and 4H are scheduled for fracking, following the completion of an Eagle Ford well. Abraxas owns a working interest of 76% in these wells.

On Abraxas' first Middle Bakken downspacing test, Raven Rig #1 successfully drilled and cased the surface and intermediate sections of the Ravin 6H and Ravin 7H. The company is now drilling the intermediate sections of the Ravin 5H, which will be followed by the intermediate section of the Ravin 4H. Abraxas owns a working interest of 51% in its' Ravin West pads.

“Bob Watson, CEO of Abraxas, said in a company statement,”in the Bakken, weather has abated and we plan to be on location in the coming weeks to frac our three well Jore pad. Drilling continues to run quite smoothly on the Ravin pad. Success on this initial downspacing test obviously carries with it significant reserve and inventory implications for the company.”

U.S. Energy Corp. Williston Basin Operations Update

U.S. Energy Corp. has interests across 84,480 gross (3,225 net) acres in Williams, McKenzie and Mountrail Counties, North Dakota. At the end of 2013, the company had participation in 101 gross (10.7 net) Bakken and Three Forks formation producing wells. Due primarily to weather-related issues in North Dakota, the company's Williston Basin production decreased by ~24% during the first two months of 2014 to an average of ~ 625 boe/d as compared to 817 boe/d in the fourth-quarter of 2013.

U.S. Senators Appeal to Senate Appropriations Committee for Railway Safety Funding

April 9, 2014 Kirk Eggleston

Approximately 70% of the oil produced in North Dakota is transported by rail. Safety concerns mounted after an incident where two BNSF operated trains carrying Bakken crude collided and derailed near Casselton, ND, in late December 2013. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said about 400,000 gallons or ~950 bbls of oil were spilled. Now, Senators from across the country are appealing to the Senate Appropriations Committee for railway safety funding this month.

In early April of this year, North Dakota Republican Senator John Hoeven, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on fellow members to support railway safety measures and a push for more rail inspectors. Specifically, Hoeven would like to see funding go to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

In January of this year, PHMSA issued a safety alert for Bakken crude due. The alert reinforced the need to test, characterize, classify, and where appropriate de-gassify the crude oil before transportation. PHMSA is also working on new regulations for double hulled tankers.

On a related note, several U.S. Senators appealed to the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington D.C. for rail safety funding in a joint-letter on April 4th. The letter was signed by 16 U.S. Senators, and highlighted the "Safe Transportation of Energy Products Fund".

“A Safe Transportation and Energy Products Fund would provide U.S. Department of Transportation new flexibility to address emerging issues related to the transportation of Bakken crude and other energy products – including, but not limited to: more expeditious rulemakings, technical studies, increased rail and energy product inspections, safety mitigation and response planning, first responder training, and community outreach. Additionally, the Fund would provide needed additional resources to complete Operation Backpressure, a study of the qualities and characteristics of crude oil in the United States. Completion of this study is an important step because its results will inform future regulatory action.”

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing will take place this week, Wednesday, April 9th, to examine the level of federal resources that should be allotted for railway safety. North Dakota Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp will be in attendance at the hearing to ask questions of the scheduled witnesses.

“The derailment in Casselton and other recent rail crashes have rightly kept this issue on the minds of many in Washington and across the country. And I’m continuing to push for the issue of rail safety to remain front and center, said Heitkamp.”

Wood Mackenzie Forecasts $15 Billion on Bakken Drilling and Completions - 2014

April 4, 2014 Kirk Eggleston

Wood Mackenzie Bakken and Three Forks Map

According to the oil and gas research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, $15 billion will be spent on drilling and completion in the Bakken in 2014, second only to the Eagle Ford Shale. This year, oil production is expected to reach the 1 million b/d mark, and grow markedly beyond that figure over the next 5 - 6 years.

“We expect Bakken/Three Forks oil production to average 1.1 million barrels a day (b/d) in 2014, growing to 1.7 million b/d in 2020,” says Jonathan Garrett, upstream research analyst for Wood Mackenzie.”

The firm's analysis shows the Bakken and Three Forks plays hold close to $118 billion in value. Despite infrastructure concerns, estimates indicate operators will recover more than 20 billion bbls of oil reserves throughout the life of the play.

Continental Remains Top Bakken Operator

In 2014, Continental Resources remains the top Bakken operator, with more than 1.2 million acres according to Wood Mackenzie. The value of the company's proved reserves in the Bakken are ~ $14.5 billion.

In 2013, Continental conducted multiple tests of the Three Forks . Wood Mackenzie indicates the company has the most advanced delineation program in the deeper Three Forks benches.

Wood Mackenzie Analysis of Bakken Three Forks Sub-Plays

Current figures show the highest initial production rates are on the Nesson Anticline sub-play, with 30-day IP rates of 1000 boe/d. Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) rates are the highest in the Fort Berthold sub-play at nearly 700,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

In the Southern fringe sub-play, wells targeting the Three Forks formation outperformed Bakken wells. Similar results for Three Forks wells were also found in the North Williston and Williams Perimeter sub-plays.

Wood Mackenzie also indicates in their report that infrastructure constraints will not impact the pace of the play's development. Currently, 73% of crude leaves the Williston Basin by rail.

Marathon Accelerates Activity in The Bakken and Other US Domestic Plays

March 26, 2014 Kirk Eggleston

Marathon's Bakken and Three Forks Acreage Map

Marathon is continuing to ramp up its presence in US domestic shale plays, with increased activity expected in the Bakken Shale through the end of 2014. In a company statement in late March 2014, officials revealed that Marathon hit its target of a 28-rig program across the Eagle Ford, Bakken and Oklahoma-Woodford Shale plays at the end of January.

“Marathon Oil’s CEO Lee Tillman said, “We continue to have high confidence in our ability to deliver on our North America long-term production growth targets underpinned by strong resource growth through downspacing and well optimization. In addition, we are progressing the evaluation and appraisal of co-development opportunities with the Eagle Ford’s Austin Chalk and the Bakken’s deeper Three Forks benches.”

Marathon Bakken Operations Update

According to Marathon, the company's Bakken acreage accounts for ~800 mmboe in proven and probable reserves and resource potential. As of March 2014, Marathon had a 6-rig drilling program, and anticipates 75 - 85 net wells across the play in 2014. The company also expects to complete 20 - 24 net wells by the end of the year. The Bakken budget for 2014 remains at approximately $1 billion and 29% of the company' 2014 capital budget.

Marathon Targeting Deeper Three Forks Benches in Myrmidon Area

The Three Forks First Bench accounts for ~23% of proven and probable reserves. 45 gross operated wells are planned for the Three Forks in 2014. Six wells are planned in the lower benches of the Three Forks between 2014 - 2015. The initial focus will be on the Myrmidon area.