Some folks
over at The Bakken Shale Discussion Group have been asking about rules/regulations and definitions of "zones" in various oil fields in the Bakken. A reader has provided this:
North Dakota Century Code 38-08-07 which can be found on slide 20 if you
go to the NDIC web site and click on rules and regulations will explain
zones in the context I believe you are looking for.
If you search for the word zones in that 270 some page document you find other definitions in my opinion.
From that document:
When necessary to prevent waste, to avoid the drilling of unnecessary wells, or to
protect correlative rights, the commission shall establish spacing units for a pool.
Spacing units when established must be of uniform size and shape for the entire pool,
except that when found to be necessary for any of the purposes above mentioned, the
commission is authorized to divide any pool into zones and establish spacing units
for each zone, which units may differ in size and shape from those established in any other zone.
Bruce, I talked with one of the staff at the Commission office today. He said the purpose of creating zones of various sizes is to do exactly as you say; increase the recovery from a given field. In this case, CLR believes (and the Commission agrees) that the 4 section pools will eliminate some of the 500 foot setback problems inherent in the smaller pools. Jon
ReplyDeleteThank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to write. This will help mineral owners understand what is going on.
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