With its takeover of fellow Colorado pure-play HighPoint Resources Corp. now complete, Bonanza Creek Energy Inc. is looking to optimize the combined well completions and midstream gathering needs, according to CEO Eric Greager.

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Bonanza Creek completed its merger with HighPoint on April 1. The closing allows the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin operator to revamp the overall drilling schedule for the drilled but uncompleted wells, or DUCs, pushing some to later this year. 

Streamlining and consolidating the DJ operations may result in a lower production outlook for 2021 than initially forecast in November when the merger was announced. However, the overall outlook is solid, said Greager.

“It’s been nearly five months since we announced our merger with HighPoint,” he said....