More On Pad Drilling From A Reader -- December 12, 2021

With regard to Bakken 4.5, pad drilling, a reader writes:

A few years back, some industry executive was explaining some of the economics behind not only 4 to 6 wells per pad simultaneously being drilled/completed, but also the then-emerging trend of simultaneously developing 3 to 4 pads in close proximity.

Interesting perspective. 

Taking those six Bruin wells that you have noted for example, at $6 million per well, Bruin would have 'pre-paid' $36 million before any revenue came back. 

With a cumulative production just over half a million barrels (~511,000) and $50/bbl pricing, Bruin would have already grossed about $25 million in oil revenue and $2 million from the gas ... roughly. 

It may take till the end of a year, but Bruin may be 'in the money' after 12 month's time.

For operators doing this on, say, four pads simultaneously, the capital outlay could approach $150 million prior to any revenue coming in. 

Definitely a game for the Big Boys. 

(That executive also stressed that the logistics could be daunting trying to develop 16/20 wells simultaneously, but the 'discount/efficiencies' could be well worth it when giving a LOT of business to the chosen oil field service contractors).

By the way, there's another way for smaller companies like Bruin to pay for the fracking. [The drilling costs are almost inconsequential compared to everything else, especially fracking.] Some operators will share in the production with the servicing / fracking companies to pay off the costs of the work. I've seen that talked about elsewhere -- overseas? I don't know if it's being done in the Bakken?  

Regardless, once the cash flow starts, it becomes easier to tackle the next big project.