Continental testing Springer shale potential

Nov. 3, 2014
Four delineation wells operated by Continental Resources Inc. in Grady County, Okla., confirm potential of the Mississippian Springer shale in the South-Central Oklahoma Oil Play (SCOOP), says Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Harold G. Hamm.

Four delineation wells operated by Continental Resources Inc. in Grady County, Okla., confirm potential of the Mississippian Springer shale in the South-Central Oklahoma Oil Play (SCOOP), says Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Harold G. Hamm.

Continental and other operators have been developing oil, natural gas, and condensate in stacked formations of the SCOOP fairway, which trends northwest-southeast south of Oklahoma City. A core target has been the Devonian Woodford shale, source rock for hydrocarbons produced from old fields in the area.

Last month Continental reported results that have followed its January 2013 discovery in the Wilkerson 1-20H well, which had initial production (IP) of 2,038 boe/d from the Springer shale. IPs for key subsequent wells were 1,037 boe/d in the Ball 1-19H delineation well and 793 boe/d in the Birt 1-13H confirmation well.

Among 11 wells drilled prior to the four in the new report, the 30-day average IP rate was 700 boe/d. Those wells have average lateral lengths of 4,037 ft and average Continental working interests of 83%.

Here are 24-hr IP test rates of the four new wells:

• Nancy J 1-28H (Continental working interest, 57%)-1,815 boe/d, 79% crude oil.

• AC Walters 1-27H (Continental, 83%)-1,630 boe/d, 78% crude.

• Schoof 1-17H (Continental, 99%)-1,465 boe/d, 74% crude.

• Ince 1-21H, (Continental, 77%)-1,037 boe/d, 86% crude. The well is 25 miles south of the other three.

Shallow declines

Hamm said the new delineation wells have decline rates shallower than is typical in unconventional resource plays.

They "further confirm the repeatability and growth potential" of the SCOOP Springer shale play, he said.

The new wells have average horizontal lateral lengths of 4,475 ft. They were drilled to depths averaging 12,625 ft with average total measured depths of 17,650 ft.

Continental expects estimated ultimate recovery of 940,000 boe/well gross for a well with a 4,500-ft lateral section.

The company's current Springer production is about 6,000 boe/d net, 9,200 boe/d gross, about 70% crude. It has nine operated rigs drilling in the Springer shale play, focused on determining the production extent.

Continental will begin drilling its first extended lateral well in the Springer play in November. The planned lateral length of that well is 7,500 ft.

Average completed well cost in the play "has been in line with [the] earlier projected cost of $9.7 million/well," the company said.