Stone drills successful Utica exploration well

Dec. 10, 2014
Stone Energy Corp., Lafayette, La., reported that its Pribble 6HU well in Wetzel County, W.Va., flowed from a 3,605-ft lateral at 30 MMcfd during the last 24 hr of a 5-day test.

Stone Energy Corp., Lafayette, La., reported that its Pribble 6HU well in Wetzel County, W.Va., flowed from a 3,605-ft lateral at 30 MMcfd during the last 24 hr of a 5-day test.

The well, in which the company holds 90% working interest, produced on a final 28/64-in. choke with 6,500 psi of flowing casing pressure.

This test flow calculates to a rate of 8 MMcfd per thousand feet of lateral length based on the total effective lateral length of 3,605 ft for the test well.

“The results from the Pribble 6HU well confirm the high potential of the Utica shale underlying our current liquids-rich Marcellus acreage position,” said David H. Welch, Stone chairman, president, and chief executive officer.

“The production rate of 30 MMcfd, and certainly 8 MMcfd per thousand feet of lateral, is one of the highest Utica tests announced in the area. This well, along with the numerous third-party Utica tests surrounding our acreage, has significantly derisked our Utica position.

“We have already invested in land and infrastructure in this area due to our Marcellus shale efforts, and this previous investment should enhance our Utica returns. We have contracted a new dual-purpose Utica-Marcellus drilling rig with delivery expected in late 2015, and our Appalachian team will be establishing a development program for this exciting new play,” said Welch.

“Our Utica acreage position of almost 30,000 acres in the Mary field should allow for a multiyear development program,” he said.

The well, drilled to a TVD of 11,350 ft, was completed in the Point Pleasant formation with 17 fracture stages. There was 210 ft of spacing between each stage and 375,000 lb of proppant per stage.