American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 74
Best Practices Improving Predictability
Operator decisions on drilling and completion design variables are converging to best-practice
median values in the Bakken, Eagle Ford and other more mature unconventional plays, but experimentation still is taking place in newer development areas such as the Midland Basin in
regard to lateral lengths and other key parameters.
By Tanya Andrien, Carl W. Neuhaus and Mark Nibbelink
AUSTIN, TX.-While horizontal drilling in the Midland and Delaware basins came
later than in the Bakken and Eagle Ford plays, production grew 140 and 65 percent,
respectively, in 2014. Production from those two basins continued to increase in 2015,
while it plateaued in the Bakken and Eagle Ford.
Within these three unconventional play areas, which accounted for more than 50
percent of active horizontal rigs and new horizontal wells as of the beginning of November,
the reaction to oil and gas commodity prices being cut in half is illustrated most drastically
by the decrease in applications for permits to drill from record highs in 2014.
APDs fell from 2,575 to 811 in the Eagle Ford, from 2,393 to 1,293 in the Delaware
Basin, from 2,655 to 1,358 in the Midland Basin, and from 2,951 to 1,519 in the Bakken.
Even if adjusted for 10 months of activity versus a full year in 2014, the number of
permits filed fell sharply year to year. Since every well drilled is an experiment that
utilizes seismic interpretation, completion engineering and reservoir management, does
the drop in permits imply a restraint on realizing best practices?
Comparing production from horizontal wells drilled during 2011 to the present reveals
production by month for the Eagle Ford and Bakken peaked around 2014, and has been
on the decline since. However, there is still a fair amount of drilling activity, and the
decline in production is less drastic than the decrease in drilling permits would suggest.
Tech Trends 2016
74 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016
Contents
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - Cover1
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - Cover2
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - Contents
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 4
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 5
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 6
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 7
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 8
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 9
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 10
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 11
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 12
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 13
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 14
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 15
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 16
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 17
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 18
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 19
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 20
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 21
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 22
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 23
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 24
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 25
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 26
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 27
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 28
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 29
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 30
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 31
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 32
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 33
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 34
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 35
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 36
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 37
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 38
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 39
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 40
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 41
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 42
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 43
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 44
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 45
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 46
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 47
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 48
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 49
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 50
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 51
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 52
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 53
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 54
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 55
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 56
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 57
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 58
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 59
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 60
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 61
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 62
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 63
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 64
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 65
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 66
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 67
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 68
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 69
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 70
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 71
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 72
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 73
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 74
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 75
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 76
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 77
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 78
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 79
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 80
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 81
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 82
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 83
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 84
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 85
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 86
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 87
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 88
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 89
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 90
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 91
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 92
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 93
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 94
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 95
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 96
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 97
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 98
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 99
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 100
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 101
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 102
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 103
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 104
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 105
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 106
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 107
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 108
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 109
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 110
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 111
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 112
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 113
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 114
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 115
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 116
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 117
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 118
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 119
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 120
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 121
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 122
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 123
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 124
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 125
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 126
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 127
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 128
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 129
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 130
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 131
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 132
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 133
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 134
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 135
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 136
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 137
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 138
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 139
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 140
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 141
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 142
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 143
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 144
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 145
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 146
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 147
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 148
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 149
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 150
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 151
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 152
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 153
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 154
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 155
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 156
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 157
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 158
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 159
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 160
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 161
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 162
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - Cover3
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios2016_programguide
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios2014_programguide
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/2012_pbios
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/demo/aogr_clone
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201112
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com