Friday, July 17, 2015

Ohio Utica Shale Well Status Graph Highlights Trends

A chart of Ohio Utica Shale Well Status by month highlights drilling downturn, production buildup, and drilled backlog.

Wells and well status over time in Ohio's Utica Shale
Click to Enlarge
















Key takeaways

The velocity of wells entering production has declined somewhat
While wells entering production has slowed, according to the EIA, Utica Shale Production continues to increase month over month. See related post Utica Shale - Net Gas Production Soaring Past Others. And while the EIA Utica Shale report includes more than just Ohio, Ohio is the main contributor. 

Drilling has tapered, though still above 2014 levels... so far.
And while wells classified as drilling  peaked near the end of 2014 / beginning of 2015, drilling activity is still just above activity this time last year, though that will change if the drilling decline continues at the current rate.

Increasingly, drilled wells are awaiting production
At the same time as drilling began to slow, wells classified as drilled but not yet producing has increased. This trend is likely due to operators awaiting more favorable gas prices or they negotiating with service providers and holding out for discounts on completion services required to bring wells under production, all most likely related to economics.

Inventory of wells permitted remains steady
A healthy pipeline of wells ready to drill has maintained, indicating the under favorable economics the wells will be ready to drill.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Ohio Utica Shale: Map - Who is Drilling Where as of July 11, 2015

According to the most recent report out of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 188 wells are currently classified as "Drilling" in Ohio's Utica Shale. About two months ago,  May 2, the number stood at 222 wells.

Monroe County leads with 47 wells classified as drilling, followed by Harrison with 39 and Belmont with 31. The remainder consist of Guernsey [29], Noble [16], Jefferson [10], Carroll [9], Columbiana [4], and Portage, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas with 1 each.

American Energy leads all operators with wells classified as drilling in Ohio's Utica Shale with 47, followed by Antero Resources with 37 and Chesapeake with 26. The remainder consist of Gulfport Energy [18], Eclipse Resources [10], Rice Drilling [10], PDC Energy [8], Carrizo [7], CNX Gas [6], Hess [6], Triad Hunter [3], XTO Energy [3], Atlas Noble [2], Hilcorp Energy [2], and EQT, Halcon, and Mountaineer with 1 each.

Pan, zoom, and click for more information about each well.

Ohio Utica Shale Permitting Activity Map - Last 30 Days

The last 30 days of permitting activity in the Ohio Utica Shale shows just 4 counties participating according to the most recent report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources updated to July 11, 2015.

The 47 wells permitted in Carroll, Harrison, Monroe, and Noble Counties from June 12 through July 11 are shown below. Well locations and paths highlighted in yellow are classified as currently permitted only. Those in red are currently classified as drilling.