How Long Will A Bakken Well Produce?

Idle chatter.

One of the most frequent questions I get asked: how long will a Bakken well produce?

I've linked answers to that question at numerous posts, but don't have time to look for the links now.

How long a well will produce is irrelevant in my mind, except for the "cocktail chatter" it allows. Other parameters are much more important, including the ultimate production.

But to give newbies an idea of how long these wells will produce, look at some of the legacy wells at my "Monster Wells" page. As one example:

• 1246, 161, Hess, Hawkeye-Madison Unit G-603HR, Madison formation, Hawkeye, s9/56; re7/05; t10/56; cum 458K 10/11; spudded 1956 (producing for 56 years); for an in-depth look at this well, click here

If this well is on a pipeline, and if it requires minimal upkeep to keep it going, its expenses are also minimal, and at $75/bbl, what's not to like? In November, 2011, it produced 700 bbls or oil. And as a stripper well, it gets certain tax advantages. And by producing, the lease is held for future drilling in the spacing unit.

The "Monster Wells" page is still being updated, as in very new; much to be added.

Oh, just to answer the question, how long will the average Bakken well produce? 39 years.