This was my unedited, quick answer:
That's a very, very good question.A much better answer:
Wildcat is probably the easiest to explain: there's much more to it, but two factors -- drilling in an area that has not yet been designated a field, and a "six-mile" rule. I could be way wrong on this, but it appears that even if a company drills inside a designated field, if there is no other activity within six miles, it is deemed a wildcat. I have seen some wells that are designated "wildcats" in the Bakken and they are literally sitting in a sweet spot, but because there is no other local activity, they are considered wildcats. For me, the designation of "wildcat" in the Bakken has lost a lot of its historical meaning.
"Development" and "extension" are a bit more difficult for me to understand. Perhaps just a continuum. Regardless, "development" wells are additional wells in the same section or, I suppose, adjacent sections, where there are already producing wells.
But it's a fine line. I will post this as a stand-alone and see if a roughneck has time to set me straight.
This is probably the best source: at this google book link.Wildcats: as noted above
Development: as noted above
Extension: wells that will be drilled at the perimeter of where known reservoirs are.
I've learned something. I never paid attention to the "extension" designation before.
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