Saturday, September 3, 2011

Seven Wells on One Section (640-Acre Spacing Unit) -- Slawson, Denbury Onshore -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

If I am reading the NDIC September dockets correctly, both Slawson and Denbury Onshore are proposing to put 7 density wells in one section. I went through the dockets fairly quickly, so I may misunderstand what I'm reading, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Here are the case numbers from the September, 2011, NDIC dockets that suggest to me, 7 wells on 640-acre spacing units. The dockets can be found at the NDIC website, linked at the sidebar on the right, under "Data."
  • 15758, Slawson: extend MonDak and/or Squaw Gap-Bakken; establish 2 640-acre units, 7 wells on each 640-acre unit; establish 2 320-acre unit and 3 wells on each, McKenzie County
  • 15845, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit, Dunn County
  • 15846, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre units, Charlson-Bakken, Williams, McKenzie County
  • 15847, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit, Murphy Creek-Bakken, Dunn County
  • 15848, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit, North Tobacco Garden-Bakken, McKenzie County
  • 15849, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit in Siverston-Bakken, McKenzie County
  • 15850, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre and each 640-acre unit, Tobacco Garden-Bakken, McKenzie County
  • 15851, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280—acre and each 640-acre unit, Antelope-Sanish, McKenzie, Mountrail County
  • 15852, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre and each 640-acre unit, Camp-Bakken, McKenzie, Williams County
  • 15853, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre and each 640-acre unit in Cedar Coulee-Bakken, Dunn County
  • 15854, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit in Corral Creek-Bakken, Dunn County
In addition, many of the cases include requests to relieve operators of the setback rules.

NDIC Hearing Dockets, September 28 and 29, 2011

Transcribing now.

Trend: oil companies asking for 6 wells and, in some cases, 7 wells on 1280-acre spacing units.

September 28, 2011


15648, OXY USA: proper spacing to develop Manning-Bakken, Dunn County
15649, OXY USA: extend Dimond Field by 12 sections; to establish 16 1280-acre units; one well on each unit
15650, Whiting: temp spacing for Kummer 34-31H, McKenzie County
15651, Whiting: amend Park-Bakken for two horizontal wells on two 1280-acre units, Billings County
15652, Hess: temporary spacing for Moran 15-1H, McKenzie County
15653, Hess: temporary spacing for Thompson 15-31H, Williams County
15654, Hess: establish 2 1280-acre units, Lodgepole, Williams County
15655, Hess: establish 2 1280-acre units, Williams/Mountrail Counties; 3 wells in each
15656, Hess: amend Tioga-Bakken to establish a 1280-acre unit, 3 wells, Williams/Mountrail
15657, Hess: amend White Earth-Bakken designating a 1280-acre unit, 6 wells on that unit, Mountrail
15658, Hess: amend Sorkness-Bakken, designate a 1280-acre unit, 6 wells on the unit, Mountrail County
15659, Hess: amend Beaver Lodge-Bakken, 3 wells on a 1280-acre unit, Williams County
15660, Hess: amend Baskin-Bakken, 6 wells on a 1280-acre unit, Mountrail County
15661, Hess: amend Hofflund-Bakken, 3 wells on a 1280-acre unit, Williams County
15662, Hess: amend Ranch Coulee-Bakken, 6 wells on a 1280-acre unit, McKenzie County
15370, cont’d, Hess: amend Alger-Bakken, 1 well on 640-acre spacing, Mountrail County
14935, cont’d, Hess: revoke CLR permit for Foster 1-28H, Williams/McKenzie Counties
15664, Petro-Hunt: temp spacing for Borrud 156-101-11D-2-1H, Williams County
15665, Petro-Hunt: temp spacing for Skedsvold 150-101-4B-9-1H, McKenzie County
15666, Petro-Hunt: amend Tyrone Field, add 1 1280-acre unit, Williams County
15667, Petro-Hunt: Charlson or Alkali Creek-Bakken, add 1 1280-acre unit, 7 wells, McKenzie/Mountrail Counties
15668, Petro-Hunt: extend Ragged Butte, 1 1280-acre unit, McKenzie County
15669, Petro-Hunt: amend North Tioga-Bakken, authorize 5 wells, several counties
15670, Petro-Hunt: amend Little Knife-Bakken, designating 1280-acre units, McKenzie
14762, Petro-Hunt: revoke Newfield permit for Jackman 156-100-11-2-1H, Williams County
15671, Cornerstone: temp spacing for Jacobson 8-33H, Burke County
15672, Cornerstone: establish a 800-acre unit; 1 well, Burke County
15673, Aeon Energy: amend North Maxbass-Madison to establish a 160-acre unit, 4 wells, Bottineau [Aeon's history in North Dakota has been less than stellar: last drilled in 2008; about 8 wells; one dry well; most permits permanently canceled; no successful wells.]
15674, Oasis: grant relief from the 1220-foot setback policy, Williams County
15675, BR: amend Blue Buttes-Bakken, an additional well on a 1280-acre unit, McKenzie
15375, cont’d, BR: amend Pershing and North Fork-Bakken to amend the stratigraphic definition of the Bakken Pool to include from 50 feet above the top of the upper Bakken shale to 100 feet below the base of the lower Bakken shale, in 4 sections, 149-96, McKenzie
15676, XTO: revoke CLR permit for Carbon 1-30H, McKenzie
15677, MRO: amend Bailey-Bakken, establish a 640-acre unit; an additional well between the two existing 1280-acre units, Dunn
15678, BTA: establish a 1280-acre unit for the Bicentennial-Bakken, Golden Valley
15679, BTA: establish a 1280-acre unit for Bicentennial-Bakken, Golden Valley
15680, BTA: establish a 1280-acre unit for either Elkhorn Ranch or Buckhorn-Bakken, Billings
15681, BTA: establish a 1280-acre unit, Golden Valley
15682, BTA: establish a 1280-acre unit, Billings County
15683, KOG: amend South Fork-Bakken, 6 wells on three 1280-acre units, Dunn County
15684, KOG: amend MonDak-Bakken, 3 wells on a 1280-acre unit, McKenzie County
15685, KOG: amend; 3 wells on a 1280-acre unit, McKenzie County
15686, KOG: amend Poe-Bakken, 5 wells on a 1280-acre unit, McKenzie County
15687, KOG; amend Moccasin Creek-Bakken, establish a 1280-acre unit, 3 wells; also to allow 2 wells on 2 existing 320-acre unit, Dunn County
14231, cont’d, SM: revoke a CLR permit for Koeser 1-11H, McKenzie County
14451, cont’d, Sequel: establish 6 1280-acre units; 1 wells each, McKenzie County
15483 – 15489, cont’d, Luff: flaring
14541, cont’d: Oil for America, temp spacing for Zastoupil 22-1, Stark County
15688, no company: altering spacing units in some sections in McKenzie, Williams
15689, North Plains: extend Truax-Bakken
15690, CLR: revoke a BEXP permit for Barney 32-29H, McKenzie
15691, QEP: amend Squires-Bakken, 3 wells on 1280-acre unit, Williams
15692, QEP: amend Van Hook, 3 wells on a 640-acre unit; 2 wells on 2 640-acre units, Mountrail
15693, QEP: amend Deep Water Creek to create a 560-acre unit; 2 wells; McLean
15694, QEP: amend Heart Butte-Bakken, flaring, several counties
15695, QEP: amend Heart Butte and/or Van Hook, create 1 2560-acre unit; 10 wells, Dunn, Mountrail
15696, QEP: SWD
15697, Red Willow Great Plains, re-enter MHA 1-11H-148-90, to test the Dakota Formation, McLean County [has had two permits in North Dakota; one was canceled, the other well abandoned]
15698, Fram Operating: temp spacing for Funke 1, Renville County
15699, SBG Grassy Butte Facility: SWD, McKenzie
15700, Open Range, Inc: SWD
15701, Madison Disposal 2-1: SWD
15702 - 15714, Cornerstone: pooling
15715, MRO: SWD
15716, MRO: SWD
15717 - 15718, Petro-Hunt: pooling
15719 - 15726, Hess: pooling
15727 - 15728, BTA: pooling
15729, KOG: pooling
15730, Oasis: flaring
15731 – 15732, Whiting: pooling

September 29, 2011

15733, CLR
15734, CLR: extend Border, leaf Mountain, and/or Stoneview-Bakken, establish 4 1280-acre units, 1 well each, Burke
15735, CLR: amend Stoneview-Bakken: establish 1 1280-acre unit, 1 well, Burke
15193, cont’d, CCS Midstream: construct a treating plant to dispose of oilfield waste, Mountrail
15491, cont’d: CLR: temp spacing for Montpelier 1-14H, McKenzie
15492, cont’d, CLR: temp spacing for Hayes 1-6H, Williams
15493, cont’d, CLR: extend Noonan-Bakken, establish 2 1280-acre units; 1 well each, Divide
15224, cont’d, CLR: revoke Hess permit for 2WX 7-1H, McKenzie
14356, cont’d, CLR: amend Elm Tree-Bakken, create a 2560-acre unit; 4 wells on one pad, McKenzie
14062, cont’d, CLR: temp spacing for Norway 1-5H, McKenzie
14543, cont’d, CLR: temp spacing for Haag 1X-21H, Billings
15736, Crescent Point Energy: temp spacing for Perry Larson 1-21-16H-158-97, Williams
15737, Legacy: temp spacing for Legacy Etal Fett 12-18 1H, and Legacy Etal Berge 12-12H 1H, Bottineau
15738, BEXP: proper spacing for the Rosebud-Bakken, McKenzie, Williams
15739, Chesapeake: create 9 1280-acre units, 1 well each; Stark and Hettinger Counties
15740, Chesapeake: create 4 1280-acre unit, 1 well each, Stark
15741, Chesapeake: create a 128-acre unit, 1 well, Stark
15742, EOG: amend Parshall-Bakken, establish two 1920-acre unit, one well on each, Mountrail
15743, Enerplus: extend Antelope or Spotted Horn-Bakken, establish a 1280-acre unit, 7 wells, McKenzie
15744, Enerplus: amend Eagle Nest-Bakken, create a 960-acre unit, 4 wells, McKenzie
15745, Enerplus: extend McGregory Buttes or Moccasin Creek-Bakken, establish a 640-acre, 4 wells, Dunn
15746, Fidelity: create 7 1280-acre units; 1 well each, Stark
15747, Credo: revoke Helis permit Linseth 13-13/12H, McKenzie
15748, Hunt: create 2 1280-acre units, 1 well each, McKenzie
15749, Silver Oak: amend North Westhope-Madison, establish a 640-acre unit, 3 wells; Bottineau; [Silver Oak currently has one well in North Dakota; it is in the Cedar Hills field and is on the confidential list, file # 20950]
15750, XTO: extend Truax or Banks-Bakken, establish 1 1280-acre unit, 1 well, Williams, McKenzie
15751, Triangle: extend Arnegard and/or Ellsworth-Bakken, establish 2 1280-acre unit, 4 wells on each, McKenzie [Triangle currently has one well in North Dakota, file # 21452, on confidential list, in Pronghorn field -- located just north of Sather Dam/Lake]
15752, Dakota-3: extend Heart Butte-Bakken, establish a 1280-acre unit; 7 wells, Dunn
15753, Dakota-3: extend Moccasin Creek-Bakken, establish a 640-acre unit, 3 wells, Dunn County
15754, Newfield: extend Cartwright-Bakken, establish 10 1280-acre units; one well each, McKenzie
15755, Newfield: extend Todd or Williston-Bakken, establish 1 1280-acre unit, 7 wells, Williams
15756, Newfield: extend East Fork, Epping, or Brooklyn-Bakken, establish 1 1280-acre unit; 7 swells, Williams
15757, Slawson: extend Camp-Bakken, establish a 1280-acre unit, 7 wells, McKenzie
15758, Slawson: extend MonDak and/or Squaw Gap-Bakken; establish 2 640-acre unit, 7 wells on each 640-acre unit; establish 2 320-acre unit and 3 wells on each, McKenzie
15759, Zenergy: temp spacing for Link 12-1H, McKenzie
15500, cont’d, Zenergy: amend Indian Hill-Bakken, establish a 1280-acre unit; 2 wells, McKenzie
15501, cont’d, Zenergy: extend Painted Woods or Rosebud-Bakken, establish 2 960-acre units; 1 well each, Williams
15222, cont’d, Zenergy: extend Dublin-Madison, establish 8 320-acre units; 1 well each, Williams
15499, cont’d, OXY USA: extend St Anthony-Bakken, establish a 1280-acre unit, 6 wells, Dunn
15509, cont’d, Silver Oak: extend Cedar Hills-Red River “B”, establish 4 640-acre units, 3 wells each, Slope County
15760, Triangle USA Petroleum: 4 wells on a 1280-acre unit, Ellsworth-Bakken, McKenzie
15761, Arsenal: 4 wells on each of 2 1280-acre units, Stanley-Bakken, 3 wells each, Mountrail
15762, Hunt: pooling
15763, Corinthian, pooling
15764, Corinthian, pooling
15765, Fidelity: pooling
15766, GMX Resources: pooling
15767, GMX Resources: pooling
15768 - 15770, Samson Resources: pooling
15771 - 15775, CLR: legalese for risk penalty
15776, CLR: 7 wells on a 1280-acre unit, St Demetrius-Bakken, Billings
15777 - 15780, CLR: pooling
15781, CLR: SWD
15782 - 15796, Zenergy: pooling
15797 - 15800, OXY USA: pooling
15801, OXY USA: 6 wells on a 1280-acre unit, Crooked Creek-Bakken, Dunn
15802, Enerplus: 7 wells on a 1280-acre unit, Moccasin Creek-Bakken, Dunn
15803 15820, EOG: pooling
15821, BEXP, 8 density wells on each 1280-acre unit, Alger-Bakken, Mountrail
15822, BEXP: 4 wells on each of 4 1280-acre units; East Fork-Bakken, Williams
15823 - 15835, BEXP: pooling
15836, Dakota-3: 7 wells on a 1280-acre unit, Antelope-Sanish, McKenzie
15837, Dakota-3: 2 wells on a 640-acre unit; 4 wells on a 640-acre unit; 7 wells on a 1280-acre unit; Heart Butte-Bakken, Dunn
15838, Dakota-3: 3 wells on a 640-acre unit; 6 wells on each of 6 1280-acre units, Van Hook-Bakken, Mountrail
15839, Dakota-3: 7 wells on each of 3 1280-acre units, Spotted Horn-Bakken, McKenzie
15840, Dakota-3: 2 wells on a 320-acre unit, Squaw Creek-Bakken, McKenzie
15841, Dakota-3: 7 wells on a 1280-acre unit; 2 wells on each of 2 320-acre units, Mandaree-Bakken, Dunn
15842, Dakota-3: 6 wells on a 1280-acre unit, Reunion-Bakken, Mountrail, Dunn
15843 - 15844 , Dakota-3: pooling
15845, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit, Dunn
15846, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre units, Charlson-Bakken, Williams, McKenzie
15847, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit, Murphy Creek-Bakken, Dunn
15848, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit, North Tobacco Garden-Bakken, McKenzie
15849, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit in Siverston-Bakken, McKenzie
15850, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre and each 640-acre unit, Tobacco Garden-Bakken, McKenzie
15851, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280—acre and each 640-acre unit, Antelope-Sanish, McKenzie, Mountrail
15852, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre and each 640-acre unit, Camp-Bakken, McKenzie, Williams
15853, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre and each 640-acre unit in Cedar Coulee-Bakken, Dunn
15854, Denbury Onshore: 7 density wells on each 1280-acre unit and each 640-acre unit in Corral Creek-Bakken, Dunn
15855, Newfield: 7 density wells each 1280-acre unit in East Fork-Bakken, Williams
15856, Newfield: 7 density wells on one 1280-acre unit in Catwalk-Bakken, Williams
15857, Newfield: 7 density wells on each of two 1280-acre units in Avoca-Bakken, Williams
15858, Newfield: 7 density wells on a 1280-acre unit in Last Chance-Bakken, Williams
15859, Newfield: 7 density wells on a 1280-acre unit in Williston-Bakken, Williams
15860, Newfield: 7 density wells on a 1280-acre unit in Stony Creek-Bakken, Williams
15861, Newfield: 7 density wells on each of 5 1280-acre units in Epping-Bakken, Williams
15862, Fladeland 1 SWD
15863, Slawson: 3 wells on each 1280-acre unit; 4 units; Kittleson Slough-Bakken, Mountrail
15864, Slawson: 3 wells on a 320-acre unit, MonDak-Bakken, McKenzie
15865, Slawson: SWD
15866, Ward Williston: SWD
15867, CCS Midstream: SWD
15631, cont’d, Epworth Operating: SWD
 

North Dakota Farm Tractor -- Alexander, North Dakota -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

While out and about today, I took the following photographs in Alexander, North Dakota, about 25 miles south of Williston, the heart of the Bakken:


Today's American farmer feeds about 155 people worldwide. In 1960, that number was 25.8. Incredible.

North Dakota leads the nation in several grains and other crops. North Dakota is number one in honey production, far ahead of California, which is #2.

Truck Traffic Creeping Through Alexander, North Dakota -- Old Settlers' Day -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

We were out and about today. We drove down to Alexander, North Dakota, about 25 miles south of Williston, the heart of the Bakken, where they were celebrating Old Settlers' Day.

The traffic crept slowly through the small town at about 5 mph to let folks cross the highway. There are no traffic lights in this small town. There is a huge amount of oil activity in the local area.

Some photos of the truck traffic going into Alexander:



Developer Expediting Plans to Build 450 Housing Units in Minot -- East of the Bakken, North Dakota, USA

The general consensus is that the Bakken does not extend east to Minot (about 120 miles east of Williston, North Dakota -- the heart of the Bakken). There is new information dribbling out that suggests that is incorrect and that there will be more Bakken to be found to Minot and east. More on this in future blogs but I have to have something to write about this week, so want to hold on to this for awhile.

One developer may inadvertently be ahead of the curve on this. See story here (regional links break early and break often). The developer has had plans for some time to build in Minot, but with the recent flooding, and now an acute need for more housing, he has decided to accelerate plans.
A Fargo developer [with roots in Minot] expects to begin building out infrastructure Sept. 12 on a project that will add nearly 450 new housing units in northeast Minot.

The Stonebridge Farms development is located east of the National Guard Center between 32nd and 36th Avenues Northeast on property that has been in the hands of a Minot family for four generations.

Busek said flooding that aggravated Minot's housing crisis prompted him to speed up plans on his housing development, which includes parks, bike paths and playgrounds.
Other data points:
  • Phase I: 24 twin homes and 48 two-bedroom apartments; first units becoming available this December
  • Additional units in Phase I will become available, March, 2012: 22 single-family homes, 40 townhouses and 84 two- and three-bedroom apartments.
  • Phase II: 230 single-family lots on 120 acres
  • Low density with open space; green space
  • A 110-foot existing grove of trees will stay
  • Originally designed as a 3-to-5 year project, the timeline will adjust to demand
As noted earlier, oil activity may be the real driver.

Buildings In Short Supply -- Photo of New Building for Major Oil Company Heading to Williston, North Dakota, USA

I got the tip from a trusted source, but this is "off the record," so I am not at liberty to say which major oil company purchased this old country school house for their new regional headquarters north of Alexander.



Nice Update on Crude-by-Rail Facilities in North Dakota -- Avoid Keystone -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

Link here.
Shipping oil on the BNSF Railway main line is racing toward becoming a major piece of the boom action, with three rail loadout facilities under development in Fryburg, Dickinson and Zap.

One, near Fryburg, is a project of Great Northern Power Development, which is known locally for its work to develop a coal mine and power plant a few miles away at South Heart.

The company wants 270 acres rezoned one mile east of Fryburg on the railroad mainline for trucking and potentially piping oil to load onto 110-car unit trains that can be loaded up and moved out within 12 hours.

The application describes three 100,000 barrel storage tanks, enough to load a unit train in 12 hours and facilities to unload three tanker trucks at a time. One unit train requires about 300 tanker truck hauls.
So, we are getting some new info here: 300 truck hauls to fill a 110-car unit train.

Note the comment about the Keystone XL:
The Keystone project is coming under heavy environmental criticism and BakkenLink developers told the North Dakota Public Service Commission last month they’ll build to a Fryburg rail loadout instead of to a planned Keystone hookup at Baker, Montana.

The Fryburg project, with construction of additional track loop, is estimated at $40 million and will provide 25 fulltime jobs, according to the application documents.
Also, update about Dickinson CBR facility:
The project will have 210,000 barrels of storage and a truck center with six bays and room for expansion and eventually be able to put through 250,000 barrels a day.
Comment: if the Keystone XL dies, it can be blamed on a thousand small things, but they all add up. I still remember the non-support of certain state governors.