How Bad is the Fracking Backlog? -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

I have mentioned a number of times that the backlog in fracking could really hurt the smaller, under-capitalized drillers in the Bakken.

The Bakken wells are expensive to drill and then to have them sit there waiting to be fracked has to be a huge cash flow problem.

This is what some are saying about the backlog in fracking: in some cases, the fracking can delay completion of the well for several months.

In addition, the backlog was also mentioned by some of the oil companies working in the Bakken in their 4Q10 earnings conference calls.

With the number of rigs expected to increase significantly over the summer, the problem will likely get worse.