Dakota Candles and Orion Belts

Update

December 24, 2011: I no longer use these phrases ("Dakota candles" and Orion belts").  I used these phrases initially to point out the multi-well pads, but multi-well pads are now becoming so common that pointing them out is no longer necessary.

By the way, unrelated, but could be confusing: when a horizontal is laid down running directly west-to-east, it is called a "laydown."  If the horizontal runs directly south-to-north, it is called a "stand-up." Many of the Bakken wells are on a "slant" -- I don't know if there is a colloquial name for such horizontals.

Original Post

We're seeing more and more "Dakota Candles" and "Orion  Belts" in the Bakken. Dakota Candles and Orion Belts refer to multiple-well sites. Some of these are CLR Eco-Pads (4 x 1 or 4 x 2); some are Hess 3 x 2 wells at one location; and I think I recall other producers doing something similar.

I consider a group of wells "Dakota Candles" or "Orion Belts" only if they are on the same pad, or the same site by legal description, and appear to be "related" to each other in some particular way.

For an example of an "Orion Belt," go to the GIS map server at the NDIC home page: click on "Find Well" on the left sidebar; type in "Hegler"; scroll down to "Hegler 1-13H" and click on it, and then zoom in on the Hegler 1-13H. (To zoom in: click on "Zoom In" on the left side bar and then draw a square around the area of interest with your mouse.)

Note the "Orion Belt" of  the four CLR wells in section 12 of T146N-97W, all four are confidential as of August 30, 2010, most likely all four are drilled:

18515 -- CLR, Hegler 1-13T, first of the four to be reported (August 30, 2010)
18513 -- CLR, Arthur 1-12T
18747 -- CLR, Hegler 2-13H, new permit, 23 Feb 10
18748 -- CLR, Arthur 2-12H, new permit, 23 Feb 10; rig was on site; now off

From east to west, the distance between the outside wells is 105 feet. From the nomenclature, one can see that two of these wells will be going south into section 13, and two wells will be going north into section 12. Two of the wells (Hegler 1-13T and Arthur 1-12T) will be targeting the TFS; the other two will be targeting the Middle Bakken. (It is interesting that the NDIC GIS map server does not use the "T" designation, but that is how the NDIC daily activity report reported it.

I call this configuration an "Orion Belt" for obvious reasons.

Hess has six permits aligned north-to-south in the Ross field. Since these permits are "upright" in orientation, I call them "Dakota Candles." If the rig on the far end (either north, or south) flares by itself, the series will certainly look like a lit candle from the air. Smile. Here are the specifics of the "Dakota Candle" in Ross Field:

18602, RS-Nelson Farms A-156-90-2829H-1
18603, RS-Shuhart 156-90-2726H-1
18604, RS-Nelson Farms A-156-90-2829H-2
18605, RS-Shuhart 156-90-2726H-2
18606, RS-Nelson Farms A-156-90-2829H-3
18607, RS-Shuhart 156-90-2726H-3

The distance from end-to-end of this "Dakota Candles" is 264 feet. For detailed explanation of these six wells go to the Ross Field Update.

I've written about CLR's first Eco-Pad elsewhere:

18544, Kennedy 2-31T is the farthest east of the four.
18543, Kennedy 1-31M is second from the west.
18541, Miles 1-6M is farthest to the west.
18542, Miles 2-6T is second from the east.

Another "Orion Belt." This one is owned by Hess. These will be three long laterals, all starting in section 30-155-93 and going north into section 19. Three formations (MB, UTF, or LTF) or is one of these a monitoring well? 

18838, EN-Abrahamson-155-93-3019H-1
18839, EN-Abrahamson-155-93-3019H-2
18840, EN-Abrahamson-155-93-3019H-3

Another CLR Eco-Pad (Dolphin field, north of Tioga), April, 2010:

18934, Raymo 2-30H, SESE 19-161N-95W
18935, Glasoe 3-19H, SESE 19-161N-95W
18936, Raymo 1-30H, SESE 19-161N-95W
18397, Glasoe 2-19H, SESE 19-161N-95W

Sukiyaki, 1963