How Does The Bakken Compare To Oklahoma or Texas?

This is just a single data point. For a full analysis, it would take more time and much more expertise than I have.

But this one slide from Whiting's current (September, 2010) presentation speaks volumes. This is slide 7 of the presentation (or slide 8 on Adobe download), Whiting's oil production (if I am interpreting the slide correctly):

• From Oklahoma for the entire calendar year 2008: 1.5 million barrels
• From Texas for the entire calendar year 2009: 3.6 million barrels
• From North Dakota for one month, August, 2010: 1.3 million barrels

Yes, Whiting produced almost as much oil in one month from North Dakota as the company did from Oklahoma for an entire year and about a third of what they produced in all of Texas in one year.

The reason I bring this up is because of the story in the Dickinson Press today about oil activity around Dickinson. Note the quote in the story: " ... within the last few weeks, most noticeably after Whiting Oil and Gas Corp. announced its recent success and future plans, activity has exploded."

Future plans:

• CAPEX will double in 2010 over 2009: $830 million vs $490 million (slide 19).
• Whiting will participate in 52 net wells in the Sanish in 2010 (90 Whiting-operated wells) (slide 22).
• Emphasis on the Lewis and Clark Prospect, near Dickinson (slide 36).

It must be the increased interest in the Lewis and Clark Prospect that is bringing landmen to Dickinson.


Reminder to investors: WLL has stated that their production goals for third quarter 2010 will be impacted by the Enbridge pipeline shutdown, but WLL said it should meet its full year goals.

Hess Multi-Well Pads (Bakken, ND, USA)

So far, in 2010, Hess has permits for fourteen (14) multi-well pads.  Most of them are for three wells on one pad; a couple of them are for six wells on one pad, and unless my data base is incorrect, there is one permit for a two-well multi-pad.

These multi-well pads are located in several different oil fields: several in Robinson Lake, including one sited in Alger, but probably targeting Robinson Lake; several in Big Butte; and, others in Pleasant Valley, Ross and others.

I count 54 individual wells on these multi-well pads. I cannot find IPs reported for any of these wells yet, but two have been reported as "plugged or producing." The odds of these "plugged or producing" wells being dry are somewhere between slim and none and slim just dropped back, as Dan Rather once famously said.

Robinson Lake Oil Field

Permits

2016 (list is complete as of November 5, 2016
32929, loc, Sinclair,
32928, loc, Sinclair,
32927, loc, Sinclair,

2015 (list is complete)
32226, conf, Hess,
32225, conf, Hess,
32224, conf, Hess,
32223, conf, Hess,
31873, conf, Hess,
31872, conf, Hess,
31641, conf, Hess,
31408, 1,100, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-154-93-2734H-10, t11/15; cum --
31406, SI/NC, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-LW-154-93-2733H-2,  
31405, 1,422, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-LW-154-93-2734H-11, 4 sections, t11/15; cum --
31404, 938, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-154-93-2734H-11, t11/15; cum --
31029, 578, Hess, EN-Frandson-154-93-2116H-9, t10/15; cum 17K 10/15;
31028, 596, Hess, EN-Frandson-154-93-2116H-8, t10/15; cum 14K 10/15;
31027, 796, Hess, EN-Frandson-154-93-2116H-7, t10/15; cum 21K 10/15;
31002, 1,034, Hess, EN-Cvancara A-155-93-3231H-9, t8/15; cum 38K 10/15;
31001, A, Hess, EN-Cvancara A-155-93-3231H-8, no IP, no test date, cum 28K 10/15;
31000, 576, Hess, EN-Cvancara A-155-93-3231H-7, t8/15; cum 32K 10/15;
30718, 1,030, Hess, EN-D Cvancara S-154-93-0904H-8, 9/15; cum 40K 10/15;
30717, 671, Hess, EN-D Cvancara S-154-93-0904H-7, 9/15; cum 29K 10/15;
30667, conf, Hess,
30613, conf, Hess,
30453, 841, Hess, EN-D Cvancara S-154-93-0904H-9, 8/15; cum 41K 10/15;
30452, 871, Hess, EN-D Cvancara S-154-93-0904H-10, 8/15; cum 45K 10/15;
30451, 791, Hess, EN-D Cvancara S-154-93-0904H-11, 8/15; cum 37K 10/15;
30450, PNC, Hess,
30449, PNC, Hess,

2014 (list is complete)

30318, conf, Hess,
30317, conf, Hess,
30316, conf, Hess,
30315, conf, Hess,
30301, conf, Hess,
30300, conf, Hess,
30299, conf, Hess,
30298, conf, Hess,
30297, conf, Hess,
29768, conf, Hess,
29767, conf, Hess,
29766, conf, Hess,
29765, conf, Hess,
29731, 552, Hess, EN-Weyrauch B-LW-154-93-3031H-1, 4 sections, t7/15; cum 36K 10/15;
29730, 839, Hess, EN-Weyrauch B-154-93-3031H-1, t7/15; cum 59K 10/15;
29729, 753, Hess, EN-Weyrauch B-154-93-3031H-10, t7/15; cum 55K 10/15;
29728, 892, Hess, EN-Weyrauch B-154-93-3031H-9, t7/15; cum 63K 10/15;
29216, SI/NC, Oasis, Ruud 5493 41-23 4T3,
29215, SI/NC, Oasis,
29214, SI/NC, Oasis,
29112, 805, Hess, EN-Uran A-154-93-2115H-9, t7/15; cum 45K 10/15;
29111, 486, Hess, EN-Uran A-154-93-2115H-8, t7/15; cum 19K 10/15;
29110, 973, Hess, EN-Uran A-154-93-2115H-7, t6/15; cum 47K 10/15;
29109, 364, Hess, EN-Uran A-154-93-2115H-6, t7/15; cum 20K 10/15;
29108, 978, Hess, EN-Uran A-154-93-2215H-5, t6/15; cum 63K 10/15;
29107, 695, Hess, EN-Uran A-154-93-2215H-12, t5/15; cum 42K 10/15;
28863, 579, Hess, EN-Hermanson-LE-155-93-3501H-5, t5/15; cum 41K 10/15;
28862, 625, Hess, EN-Hermanson-LE-155-93-3501H-6, t5/15; cum 50K 10/15;
28861, 568, Hess, EN-Hermanson-LE-155-93-3501H-7, t5/15; cum 38K 10/15;
28860, 405, Hess, EN-Hermanson-LE-155-93-3501H-8, t6/15; cum 40K 10/15;
28686, SI/NC, Oasis,
28685, 418, Oasis, Ruud 5493 43-23 8T2, t11/14; cum 66K 10/15;
28576, 518, Hess, EN-Fretheim A-155-93-3334H-4, t2/15; cum 51K 10/15;
28575, 805, Hess, EN-Fretheim A-155-93-3334H-5, t1/15; cum 68K 10/15;
28574, 583, Hess, EN-Fretheim A-155-93-3334H-6, t2/15; cum 46K 10/15;
28445, 527, Oasis, Ruud 5493 42-23B, t11/14; cum 219K 10/15;
28444, 527, Oasis, Ruud 5493 43-23 2T2, t11/14; cum 29K 10/15;
28443, 962, Oasis, Ruud 5493 43-23 3T, t11/14; cum 52K 10/15;
27974, 900, Hess, EN-Trinity-154-93-2833H-9, t12/14; cum 95K 10/15;

27973, 663, Hess, EN-Trinity-154-93-2833H-8, t12/14; cum 84K 10/15;

27972, 374, Hess, EN-Trinity-154-93-2833H-7, t12/14; cum 52K 10/15;

27498, 604, Hess, EN-L Cvancara-155-93-2627H-6, t11/14; cum 69K 10/15;

27497, 525, Hess, EN-L Cvancara-155-93-2627H-5, t10/14; cum 53K 10/15;

27496, 689, Hess, EN-L Cvancara-155-93-2627H-4, t10/14; cum 80K 10/15;

27495, 716, Hess, EN-L Cvancara-155-93-2627H-3, t10/14; cum 62K 10/15;

27494, 702, Hess, EN-L Cvancara-155-93-2627H-2, t10/14; cum 87K 10/15;

2013 (the list is complete)

27273, 725, Hess, EN-Hermanson-LE-155-93-3501H-1, t9/15; cum 87K 10/15;

27067, 908, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-154-93-2734H-5, t9/14; cum 108K 10/15;

27066, 511, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-154-93-2734H-6, t9/14; cum 40K 10/15;

27065, 972, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-154-93-2734H-7, t9/14; cum 115K 10/15;

27064, 760, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-154-93-2734H-8, t10/14; cum 78K 10/15;

27063, 784, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-154-93-2734H-9, t10/14; cum 107K 10/15;

26940, SI/NC, Sinclair,

26860, 770, Hess,

26859, 1,207, Hess,

26858, 561, Hess,

26857, 1,059, Hess,

26856, 701, Hess,

26846, 753, Hess,

26819, 653, Hess,

26813, 794, Hess,

26812, 661, Hess,

25987, 1,350, Hess,

25986, 490, Hess,

25985, 572, Hess,

25788, 762, Hess,

25786, 1,121, Hess,

25689, 1,992, Oasis, Crawford 5493 44-7T, t12/13; cum 132K 10/15;

25688, 1,750, Oasis, Mangum 5493 44-7 T3, t1/14; cum 155K 10/15;

25640, 1,863, Oasis, Mawson 5493 43-23T, t11/3; cum 102K 10/15;

25639, 2,362, Oasis, Feathertop 5493 43-23B, t11/13; cum 131K 10/15;

25548, 554, Hess,  t1/14; cum 14K 1/14;

25398, 2,143, Oasis, t11/13; cum 22K 1/14;

25397, 782, Oasis, t11/13; cum 36K 1/14;

25396, 1,882, Oasis, t11/13; cum 36K 1/14;

25313, 998, Hess, t1/14; cum 20K 1/14;

25312, 939, Hess, t1/14; cum 10K 1/14;

25311, 970, Hess, t1/14; cum 25K 1/14;

25298, 1,012, Hess, t9/13; cum 54K 1/14;

25297, 566, Hess, t10/13; cum 32K 1/14;

25296, 522, Hess, t10/13; cum 32K 1/14;

25295, 729, Hess,

25294, 953, Hess,

25205, dry, Hess,

25204, 722, Hess, t10/13; cum 39K 1/14;

25203, 1,033, Hess, t64K 1/14;

25071, 480, Hess, t1/14; cum 6K 1/14;

25070, 1,023, Hess, t1/14; cum 37K 1/14;

25069, 467, Hess, t1/14; cum 9K 1/14;

25068, 876, Hess, t12/13; cum 37K 1/14;

24925, 262, Whiting, t7/13; cum 25K 1/14;

24870, 662, Hess, t8/13; cum 51K 1/14;

24869, 868, Hess, t8/13; cum 58K 1/14;

24868, 553, Hess,

24736, 267, Whiting, t7/13; cum 21K 1/14;

2012

24562, 748, Hess, t8/13; cum 58K 1/14;

24561, 533, Hess, t8/13; cum 41K 1/14;

24495, PNC, Sinclair,

24390, 819, Hess, t6/13; cum 64K 1/14;

24389, 534, Hess, t7/13; cum 53K 1/14;

24388, 944, Hess, t7/13; cum 75K 1/14;

24371, 842, Hess, t8/13; cum 66K 1/14;

24370, 770, Hess, t8/13; cum 66K 1/14;

24369, 1,240, Hess, t7/13; cum 82K 1/14;

24368, 1,259, Hess, t7/13; cum 87K 1/14;

24357, 724, Hess, t7/13; cum 45K 1/14;

24356, 816, Hess, t7/13; cum 56K 1/14;

23957, 707, Hess, t5/13; cum 61K 1/14;

23956, 566, Hess, t6/13; cum 48K 1/14;

23955, 560, Hess, t5/13; cum 57K 1/14;

23954, 501, Hess, t5/13; cum 49K 1/14;

23826, 540, Hess, t5/13; cum 65K 1/14;

23825, 1,008, Hess, t5/13; cum 80K 1/14;

23824, 581, Hess, t5/13; cum 60K 1/14;

23823, 920, Hess, t5/13; cum 88K 1/14;

23514, 620, Hess, t10/13; cum 33K 1/14;

23513, 620, Hess, t10/13; cum 32K 1/14;

23512, 676, Hess, t9/13; cum 35K 1/14;

23040, 521, Hess, t1/13; cum 55K 1/14;

23039, 450, Hess, t12/12; cum 66K 1/14;

23038, 515, Hess, t12/12; cum 64K 1/14;

22859, 638, Hess, t11/12; cum 92K 1/14;

22858, 823, Hess, t11/12; cum 118K 1/14;

22693, 344, Hess, t10/12; cum 60K 1/14;

22692, 560, Hess, t10/12; cum 75K 1/14;

22186, 400, Hess, t8/12; cum 74K 1/14;

22185, 651, Hess, t8/12; cum 98K 1/14;

Updates

April 18, 2013: Random look at the manufacturing stage beginning in Robinson Lake, Hess. 

December 13, 2011: Hess is getting its mojo back. 
June 22, 2011: IPs have been updated below. New permits since original posting:

• 19649, 605, Hess, EN-State D-154-93-2635H-1; t4/11; cum 154K 1/14; 
• 19899, 603, Hess, EN-Fretheim A-155-93-3334H-3; t4/12; cum 113K 1/14;
• 19900, 1,037, Hess, EN-Cvancara A-155-93-3231H-3; t12/11; cum 166K 1/14;
• 19901, 668, Hess, EN-Fretheim A-155-93-3334H-2; t11/11; cum 138K 1/14;
• 19902, 1,132, Hess, EN-Cvancara A-155-93-3231H-2; t11/11; cum 191K 1/14;
• 19903, 795, Hess, EN-Fretheim A-155-93-3334H-1; t11/11; cum 165K 1/14;
• 19904: PNC, Samson, Cougar 26-35-163-97H
• 19905, 1,341, Hess, EN-Cvancara A-155-93-3231H-1; t10/11; cum 238K 1/14;
• 20651, 934, Hess, EN-Weyrauch C-154-93-2932H-2; t3/12; cum 199K 1/14;
• 20901, 1,232, Hess, En-Weyrauch B-154-93-3032H-1; t12/11; cum 217K 1/14;
• 20902, 970, Hess, EN-Weyrauch B-154-93-3031H-2; t12/11; cum 216K 1/14; 

November 8, 2010: 18857, 2,023, Oasis, Berry 5493 11-6H, Robinson Lake, Bakken, t8/10; cum 192K 1/14;

Original Post

We started to see increased activity in the Robinson Lake oil field in 2010. Hess was granted permits for several multi-well pads in this small field in 2010 and began drilling them the same year.

Robinson Lake is a one-township oil field. It consists of 35 sections in T154N-R93W and ten sections in T155N-R93W just to the north; a total of 45 sections. It is just to the west of the very, very prolific Sanish oil field. Robinson Lake and the Sanish share a border for about 10 sections.  Driving east of Williston on state highway 1604 for a good 50 miles, as soon as you turn south you are in the Robinson Lake oil field. In fact, the highway forms the northern border for the first few sections. By the way, there is a multi-well pad just to the north of the road (about 400 feet) in the Alger field, but about as close to the Robinson Lake oil field without actually being in it. They are still confidential but I bet they run south into the RLOF.

The Robinson Lake oil field is "owned" by Hess.

With the exception of one well, all wells are long laterals, and all have been stand-ups (running north-south), again with one exception. One long lateral runs directly east-west, a Hess well.

As of October 1, 2010, there are fourteen single wells, and four multi-well pads.

Of the fourteen single wells, most are Hess wells, and the average IP is about 260.  The only lay-down (18440, running due east-west) is producing but no report on IP yet. It produced about 5,000 bo in first 15 days which means its IP is close to the average of the Hess wells in this oil field, i.e., 260.

Among the other producers with single wells in the oil field are:

• Whiting has one well, #18700, 688 (tested 5/21/10), cum 94K 1/14
• Oasis has two wells, no data, #18857, 2,023, cum 192K 1/14; and #17661, 1,592, t8/11; um 164K 1/14;
• Sinclair has two wells, one with an IP of 685 (#17893, t6/09; cum 85K 1/14) and one with an IP of 130 (#17679, t2/09; cum 46K 1/14).

The Robinson Lake is exciting for two reasons. First, Oasis (see below, under NEWS), which some have said could be the next CLR, has a couple of new permits in this township, as noted above, and Hess has the multi-well pads.

Six wells on one pad:

• The EN-Frandson and EN-Trinity series (#19074 - #19079). They are all being drilled and there is a rig on site on #19074, the farthest east of these six. 19074: 629; 19075: 225; 19076: 1,325; 19077: 717;  19078: 941; 19079: 1,125

Three wells on one pad:

• The EN-Weyrauch series (#19568 - #19570): 602, 600, 612
• The EN-Weyrauch A series (#19620 - #19622): 878, 949, PNC
• The EN-Abrahamson series (#18838 - #18840) (sited in the Alger oil field, still confidential, but I bet they run south into the Robinson Lake oil field: 424, 424, 684

Note: for Hess, the "EN" nomenclature refers to their East Nesson prospect in the Bakken.

NEWS

November 8, 2010: 18857, 2,023, Oasis, Berry 5493 11-6H, Robinson Lake, Bakken; t8/10; cum 192K 1/14;