Niobrara Shale

Encana Updates Niobrara Operations

Encana (ECA) disclosed an update on its activity in the Denver Julesburg basin, where the company is developing the Niobrara Shale.  The company has 49,000 net prospective acres and estimates that it has 735 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) of petroleum in place here.

Encana said that the Niobrara on its acreage produces light oil along with associated natural gas and natural gas liquids. The company has an estimated 150 drilling locations and plans to operate two rigs here and drill 24 gross wells in 2012.

Encana reported that the average Niobrara well will cost $5.4 million to drill and complete and contain an estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) of 525,000 BOE per well.  The average well will have a lateral length of 4,200 feet and a total vertical depth of 7,300 feet

Bill Barrett Corporation To Step Up Development Of Niobrara In 2012

Bill Barrett Corporation (BBG) has an active development program in the Niobrara Shale and disclosed an update on recent operations here.  The company has 33,400 net acres under lease that is prospective for this play.

Bill Barrett Corporation plans to drill 40 horizontal wells in 2012 targeting the Niobrara formation in the Wattenberg field. The company will also develop the Niobrara in the Chalk Bluffs and Briggsdale exploration areas.

Continental Resources Reports Higher Production On Staudinger 1-31H Niobrara Well

Continental Resources (CLR) issued an operations update for the fourth quarter of 2011and disclosed additional information on the company’s activity in the Niobrara Shale.

Continental Resources reported that the Staudinger 1-31H well is now producing 739 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day.  This is above the initial rate of 461 BOE per day reported for the Staudinger 1-31H well in January 2012.

Continental Resources has approximately 93,339 net acres prospective for the Niobrara and estimates that 25,000 net acres have been de risked to date by the company and other operators.  The company plans to drill 14 gross or 9 net wells into the Niobrara in 2012.