Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. (MHR), Houston, has reported a dry gas discovery on its first Utica shale well. The Stalder No. 3UH had peak production of 32.5 MMcfd on an adjustable choke with 4,300 psi.
Located in Monroe County, Ohio, the company’s Stalder pad has potential for as many as 18 wells. The current discovery well was drilled and cased to a true vertical depth of 10,653 ft with a horizontal step out of 5,050 ft. The well was fraced in 20 stages and is still producing significant amounts of frac flowback. The company expects actual sales rate to increase over the next several days.
”Our first well on the Stalder Pad is the most eastern well and one of the most southern wells drilled to-date in the entire Utica Play of Ohio,” said Gary C. Evans, MHR chief executive officer. The well is producing 97% pure methane, which eliminates the need for processing, the company also said.
MHR wholly owned subsidiary Triad Hunter LLC holds a 47% operating interest. Nonoperating partners include Eclipse Resources, Statoil, and Northwood Energy Corp.
MHR in December 2013 allocated $260 million to develop shale plays in Ohio and West Virginia (OGJ Online, Dec. 12, 2013). The company announced then that it expected to operate 2-3 drilling rigs in Appalachia during 2014, and anticipated drilling 23-25 gross horizontal wells.