Scientific Study Which Helps Explain Production Differences Across The Bakken

A huge "thank you" to a reader for sending "us" a superb presentation on the geological and technological aspects and their influence on production in the Bakken. The study comes from the Colorado School of Mines; the presentation is very current, dated May 2, 2013, but the results are based on older wells. The link will take you to a PDF:

http://wbpc.ca/+pub/document/2013_presentations/Theloy%20WBPC%20Regina%202013_Cosima%20Theloy_for%20posting.pdf

Slide 8 is particularly interesting for many reasons. The graphic shows the average EUR among ten (10) subdivisions in the Bakken, based on township boundaries. The average EURs (in 1,000's; 2010 to 2011):

• Sanish Parshall: 632
• Ft Berthold: 569
• Bear Den: 536
• South Nesson: 506
• Rough Rider: 466
• Bailey: 459
• Elm Coulee (Montana): 433 (2001 - 2003 data)
• North Nesson: 393
• Mondak: 283
• St Demetrius: 209

The data on number of frack stages vs those subdivisions seems to be inconclusive.

Data regarding type of proppant used:

• Sand: 614 wells
• Sand and ceramic: 78 wells
• Ceramic only: 74 wells

Based on a very limited data set, a mixture of 2/3rds sand and 1/3rd ceramic appears more effective than either along.

The maturity boundary of the Bakken/Three Forks:

• northern boundary: eastern half of Divide County
• eastern boundary: splits Mountrail County in half; diagonally splits Dunn County in half
• southeastern boundary: includes the western third of Stark County
• western boundary: well into Montana; off of Williams, McKenzie, Billings, and Golden Valley counties inside the boundary limits

With the commentary, I am unable to interpret data on slide 18 which investigates whether the Parshall is self-sources, or a result of migration.

Slide 19 is one of the more interesting slides: graphic depicting oil / oil + water.

Slide 20 is also interesting: the sweet spots / uneconomic spots tend to correlate with oil / oil +water.

Slide 22 should satisfy mineral owners to the east of Williston and explain why Stockyard Creek has been such a good field. Epping field should also be a great field.

Slide 23: back to oil / oil +water. Elm Coulee ≠ Bear Den ≠ Rough Rider.