Another Trivial Note on the Silurian Formation -- North Dakota, USA

Another interesting well:

• 7566, IA/682, Hess, T.P. Riggs 15-31, spud in 1980; test date 2/4/1981; cum 858,98 bbls 7/11;

This well continues to produce (on a pump) although since December, 2010, it looks like it might have been shut in.

This was another Silurian formation well. I talked about Silurian wells back on July 17, 2011.

This Silurian well was spud back in 1980 and has been active for 30 years.

I find it amazing how these companies can tease the oil out of the formation when it looks like production is dropping:

1. 1981 time period -- note the horrendous decline rate, which is also seen in the Bakken:

SILURIAN	4-1981	30	9967	9883	800	18667	18667	0
SILURIAN	3-1981	31	14030	14094	769	26149	26149	0
SILURIAN	2-1981	28	16510	15725	840	25958	25958	0

2. 1983 time period -- for some reason, production was shut down for part of a couple months, and then brought back up, producing at similar levels when first spud:

SILURIAN	1-1984	30	14415	13895	1630	22221	22221	0
SILURIAN	12-1983	31	16016	15963	2216	26659	26659	0
SILURIAN	11-1983	17	7155	7118	1700	12405	12405	0
SILURIAN	10-1983	11	935	1081	397	2328	2328	0

3. 1991 time period -- now it's getting serious. But then they go back in and manage to get production back to very good levels; this well was now 10 years old:

SILURIAN	8-1991	29	5347	5574	1762	8960	8960	0
SILURIAN	7-1991	14	4811	4601	2031	7455	7455	0
SILURIAN	6-1991	0	0	0	0	35	35	0
SILURIAN	5-1991	0	0	0	0	44	44	0
SILURIAN	4-1991	0	0	0	0	13	13	0
SILURIAN	3-1991	0	0	0	0	10	10	0
SILURIAN	2-1991	2	56	217	0	32	32	0
SILURIAN	1-1991	10	106	0	0	54	54

4. This year -- are we finally going to see the well abandoned? Or will see yet another comeback?

SILURIAN	2-2011	0	0	0	0	275	275	0
SILURIAN	1-2011	1	62	62	1	58	58	0
SILURIAN	12-2010	28	273	265	785	608	608	0
SILURIAN	11-2010	30	391	370	922	757	757	0

****************

Another Silurian well in the neighborhood as the one above:

• 7571, 482, Hess, Reitsch NCT-2 4, Blue Buttes, t4/81; cum 997,798 bbls 8/14;

This well was spud in 1980; test date 4/3/81. and continues to produce, on a pump. This well has also celebrated its 30th birthday. Incredible.

****************

By the way, another spectacular well in the same neighborhood:

• 9057, 731, Hess, Riggs 10-31, Blue Buttes, Stonewall formation, t5/85; cum 808K 8/14;

This well was spud in 1981; test date 5/5/85. and continues to produce, on a pump. It targeted the Red River formation, which was DRY, and then targeted the Stonewall formation, which is still producing, on a pump. Again, incredible.