Improved well results experienced by Houston-based Crimson Exploration Inc. and other operators continue to demonstrate the economic viability of the Eagle Ford Shale in Zavala and Dimmit counties, TX, said Crimson CEO Allan Keel in announcing the company’s latest well results Monday.

Crimson has about 6,550 net acres in the two counties; overall, it has about 8,200 net acres in the Eagle Ford. The company reported that its KM Ranch #2H well (50.0% working interest) in Zavala County was completed at a gross initial production (IP) rate of 457 bbl of oil and 326 Mcf of natural gas. The well was drilled to a total depth of 12,875 feet, including 5,250 feet of perforated lateral, and was completed using 16 fracture stages. Crimson has approximately 6,550 net acres between Zavala and Dimmit counties, TX.

“Crimson continues to be very pleased with the progress we are making in the Zavala and Dimmit County area of South Texas,” Keel said. “Recent higher initial production rate wells drilled by other operators in the eastern portion of Zavala County, and immediately adjacent to Crimson’s leasehold, have been completed with average effective lateral lengths of approximately 7,500 feet.

“The average length is approximately 40-45% longer than the effective lateral length of the KM Ranch #2H, implying, on a normalized basis, our results are in line with recent well results for the area. We believe our current stimulation recipe is consistent with other area operators and our next phase of development in this area will entail drilling lateral lengths greater than 7,000 feet, which our acreage position accommodates.”

In July Crimson said recent Eagle Ford wells drilled in adjacent Brazos, Robertson and Leon counties had IP rates exceeding 600 b/d (see Shale Daily, July 16).

Drilling activity in the Eagle Ford is up 18% compared with a year ago, according to NGI’s Shale Daily Unconventional Rig Count. As of last Friday there were 245 rigs active in the play, up 3% from the prior week and 2% from a month earlier.