The Rollefstad 1-3H has generated a lot of interest. "Rollefstad" is currently the number one item searched on Google regarding the Bakken by those who come to this website. That's cool.
But unbeknownst to me was something else that popped up regarding the Rollefstad 1-3H. While updating the Charlson oil field, I noted that the Rollefstad was in the top ten oil wells that targeted the Three Forks Sanish with regard to cumulative oil production over time. In the first three months, this well produced a cumulative 50,000 barrels ($60/bbl = $3 million). At this rate, the well should be paid for in a couple more months. (Disclaimer: past production results do not predict future production results.)
Just out of curiosity, I went back and looked at its IP. The IP for this very good well was a mediocre (by current standards) 754 bopd. Especially considering it was a CLR well. This is from the CLR press release (Sept 10, 2009): "The Company noted that the Rollefstad 1-3H was drilled to total depth of 20,904 feet in 16 days and was stimulated in 16 stages using the "perf and plug" technique. Final completed well cost is expected to be less than $5 million."
And not only that, this IP was from a "long lateral." Long laterals with IPs less than a 1,000 bopd just don't capture anyone's attention any more.
As long as I'm rambling, this well was spudded July 17, 2009, and it was completed August 30, 2009, according to the NDIC document. I don't think it took 44 days to complete drilling. I think the date to completion included the time to complete fracture stimulation.
The NDIC document also noted that the well targeted the "Sanish" pool, which I assume is the Three Forks Sanish. It does not state whether it was the "upper TFS" or the "lower TFS," formations that are being separated out by other producers.
Okay, some more rambling. Look at the GIS map.
18159, CLR, Rollefstad 1-3H, Antelope Field, 754, TFS pool
18224, CLR, Hendrickson 1-36H, Elm Tree Field, 1,990, TFS pool, just a 1/2 mile from the Rollefstad
17609, Hess, AN-Norby-152-94-0409H, Antelope, 504, TFS pool, just 1900 ft west of the Rollefstad
I've opined about the IPs being reported by Hess in the past, although the cumulative amount of oil produced by the Norby well looks pretty good.