zipper frac — Bakken Shale News

Abraxas Petroleum has completed 109 of 122 frack stages in four wells on its Lillibridge unit in McKenzie County.

Production data will be released after flowback begins and production measurements can be made.

A well pad just west of this unit is currently being drilled and will be completed later in the summer.

Bob Watson, CEO, commented:

“In numerous presentations over the last several months we spoke of an anticipated step change in production. As we head into the third quarter of 2013 we are poised to realize that production growth via our four new Bakken wells and upcoming Eagle Ford completions...... In the Bakken, our Lillibridge completions are running remarkably smoothly and our rig is working efficiently.”

Read the full press release at abraxaspetroleum.com

Halcon Resources is running eight rigs across a 135,000 acre position in the Bakken and continues to implement drilling & completion modifications.

The latest changes look to be paying dividends. The three most recent wells completed on the Fort Berthold Reservation had an average initial production of 2,648 boe/d (78% oil). That's a 38% improvement over wells completed in the first quarter of 2013.

The following completion modifications have been made on recent Bakken wells:

Plug and perf completions
Ceramic proppant
Higher proppant volume per lateral foot
Increased stage density
Utilizing simultaneous zipper fracks

“The most impressive well was completed on the reservation at a rate of 3,060 boe/d (90% oil). That’s a Halcon record.”

A second well is being completed on the same pad and is producing more than 2,700 boe/d with just 67% of the lateral contributing. Additional frac plugs will be drilled out and production will likely increase.

Three Forks Wells Improving

Engineering changes are improving Three Forks well performance as well. The past four wells have come online at more than 2,800 boe/d (86% oil) or a 77% improvement from first quarter wells.

Halcon is testing 660-ft spacing in the Bakken and is also participating in Continental Resources' Rollefstad Unit that will test the upper three benches of the Three Forks.

The company has seen well costs average $10 million and is targeting well costs of $9 million by year-end 2013.

Marmon Area Bakken Wells Improving Too

Two recent wells in the Marmon area are projected to have EURs of 462,000 boe or 91% higher than previous wells. New completion designs will likely change the way the Bakken is developed in many areas of the Williston Basin. Well costs in this area are already down to $9.5 million are expected to fall to $9 million as well.

Halcon has 137 wells producing, 14 wells awaiting completion, and 8 wells being drilled across the Williston Basin.

In other areas, Halcon also announced plans to spend more on Eagle Ford development outside of the traditional fairway. Read the company's full operations update at halconresources.com