I opined sometime ago that the takeover of XTO by XOM results in huge cash flow from the latter, and possibly will be translated into increased XTO activity in the Bakken, In addition, the "talking heads" on CNBC's Fast Money today suggested that XOM's earnings will be hurt by its exposure to natural gas. If that is true, then perhaps this burst of activity by XTO is directly related to XOM purchase. Obviously, whatever XTO does in the Bakken will be a very small piece -- a very small piece -- of all XOM does. But it was a surprise to see five permits for one operator, and to an operator not often seen on a daily basis.
The fields: Heart Butte (4 -- by all XTO), Gaylord (2), and one each in Upland, Van Hook, Midway, Parshall, Camp, Pembroke, and one Wildcat. Gaylord is in Stark County -- these are near South Heart, an area of recent new interest. Both Gaylord field wells are Whiting permits.
Four of the XTO wells: two pair of wells on two pads (or, two pads, with two wells on each pad):
- 19800, FBIR Beaks 24X-8
- 19801, FBIR Huntsmedicine 24X-8
- 19805, FBIR Stephen 31X-19
- 19806, FBIR Bird 31X-19
Newfield had another good well: 1,797, Clear Creek Federal 1-25, McKenzie County.
BR had a nice well: 1,833, Amanda 21-14H, McKenzie County.
