Colorado-Wyoming: Barrett sees Niobrara potential

Nov. 3, 2011
Bill Barrett Corp., Denver, is evaluating Niobrara oil potential on its acreage in the Denver-Julesburg and Wind River basins.

Bill Barrett Corp., Denver, is evaluating Niobrara oil potential on its acreage in the Denver-Julesburg and Wind River basins.

After drilling four to five vertical wells in Wattenberg field in Colorado, the company plans to initiate exploratory drilling, targeting the Niobrara with horizontal wells on its 67,500 net acres in the Wattenberg, Chalk Bluffs, and Sagebrush areas.

In Wyoming, the company has identified 100,000 net undeveloped acres on its Wind River basin acreage position that it considers prospective for Niobrara shale oil.

Barrett completed its first horizontal exploratory well in the quarter ended Sept. 30 with 13 frac stages in a 3,200-ft lateral into the lower bench of the Niobrara shale at 8,000 ft true vertical depth. The McRae Gap well produced only minor amounts of oil and was expensed as a $5.7 million dry hole. The company is reviewing data to refine its drilling focus in the prospect.