Updates
Later: see comments. It's been pointed out that the horizontal "pattern" is not "efficient." It has been generally accepted that the direction of fracture varies from location and is similar within the same spacing unit. This proposed "new" configuration goes against that "rule." If CLR goes ahead with this proposal, we may see how valid this "generally accepted rule" or how important it is.
Original Post
A huge "thank you" to RJ for sending me the graphic showing how CLR plans to drill out a 2 section by 2 section 2560-acre unit. This is very different from a 1 section x 4 section unit in which the pad will be placed midway between the four sections, with four horizontals going in one direction, and four horizontals going the very opposite way (or 6 to 8 going one direction, and 6 to 8 going the other way).
By the way, the technology is awesome. I'm sure you can do this on a PC, but on the Apple it was seamless. The graphic above was sent in a format not recognized by the system; simply adding ".jpg" to the graphic and the "blogger" application recognized it. (Unfortunately I can't get rid of that vertical line, but not a big deal.)
Look at the efficiencies a 14-well pad will provide, least of which is one road to one pad, as opposed to 14 roads to 14 individual pads. CLR introduced the Eco-Pad to the Williston Basin just a couple years ago. Things are moving quickly in the Bakken.
this is a great/cool idea.. then at some date in the future when EOR with CO2 is ready for the bakken you flood the 2 outter ones and one in the middle and squeez all the remaining oil toward other existing well bores..
ReplyDeleteAnd in the near term, none of the horizontals are any longer than the usual long horizontal crossing two sections at a diagonal. But wow, 14 horizontals off one pad. Can you imagine the number of tanks on one pad; generally 4 - 8 tanks per well.
DeleteThis looks like the wave of the future. It should result in production up, cost down, time saved, and footprint smaller.
ReplyDeleteThe legislature just increased the permit cost for a waste pit to $400,000. If one waste pit on a pad can serve all the wells on that pad, we are talking about a savings of 14 x $400,0000. Not trivial.
DeleteVery interesting! This does look like an efficient way to produce the acres. That is in addition to what they should save on well pads, and their savings on the gathering expense by having 14 wells terminate at one location for pipeline hook ups. Thank for posting their graphic.
ReplyDeleteThe "thanks" go to RJ in Bismarck. I would not have seen it. RJ sent it to me.
DeleteThis is important. It looks like an efficient pad, but inefficient wells. It is important to try things. Almost all wells are in a pitchfork pattern. Maybe there is a better way.
ReplyDeleteanon 1
Yes, the fracking pattern is important. So we will see.
DeleteThe story of the day, but not about the Bakken. It is about bats in Beaver. The suit complains about a company that assigned the leases to CHK.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_789235.html
anon 1
If I'm reading this correctly: a) good news for CHK; b) judge with common sense.
DeleteCHK rig is going to GRENZ 26-138-98 A 2H next (see rig list). See https://www.dmr.nd.gov/OaGIMS/viewer.htm That suggests that GRENZ 26-138-98 A 1H was a good well. That is one of the first public indications that CHK found something.
ReplyDeleteanon 1
Maybe I'm misreading it but the active drilling rig list suggests the rig moving to Grenz 26-138-98 A 2H is moving from HUTZENBILER 9-137-99 A 1H located just a few miles away.
DeleteYes, The Grenz A 2H is the second well on the pad from which the Grenz A 1H was drilled. Both have the A designation. Both listed as wildcats, but if they are on the same pad for the same zone the 2H might be a tame cat. I am assuming that A is the zone. I haven't checked the file.
Deleteanon 1
Readers might get confused by this most recent reply. I had placed a comment about two wells on the same Grenz pad, then noted that it looked like the rig was moving from Hutzenbiler, not from the first Grenz well, so I deleted my comment but not before "anon 1" replied to it.
DeleteRegardless, all these wells are very close together. "Anon 1"'s point does not change: evidence would suggest CHK is happy with what they've found in this general area.
Hi folks, Any thoughts to the idea that this configuration is based on the location of this specific site rather than Continentals new go forward plan for all sites? This pad is located on the river bottom just south of Williston, which is a bit environmentally sensitive. It is also prone to flooding as happened last year.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Thank you for taking time to comment. Contingencies such as those probably drove the decision but if they follow through with this plan, it will be quite an experiment.
DeleteWOW! Thanks for sharing this awesome graphic. Because of the river I felt, as a MO, nothing would happen here because of the river. Great news for me.
ReplyDeleteThe lay of the land will dictate method and practice. The well infrastructure could be elevated, using a concrete bridge foundation structure or some other efficent means to raise the infrastructure from a lowland to a more probable safe zone. When your drilling deep, elevating the support infrastructure above contact with ground might be a simple saftety precaution. Last years flooding was 100 year flood, the site developers should use that knowledge in planning the sites layout.
ReplyDelete