Denver-based Gasco Energy Inc. reported late last week favorable results from four wells on its Riverbend Project in Utah’s Uinta Basin. One of the wells was already flowing to sales with the remaining three not far behind.

“We believe we have identified a tremendous resource,” said Mike Decker, Gasco’s COO. “Completion technology and its implementation are the keys to commerciality.”

The Gasco-operated Federal #23-29 reached total depth of 10,660 feet and encountered 52 feet of net Wasatch pay and 89 feet of net Mesaverde pay despite being halted 1,000 feet short of planned total depth due to mechanical difficulties with the surface casing, the company said. Completion operations began in early June with the first frac stage, which included 14 feet of net pay. Gasco, which holds a 25% working interest, said gas from this interval began flowing into the sales line on June 8 at a sustained rate of 250 Mcf/d and three barrels of condensate per day. The company said the second frac stage is already under way with an additional five frac stages planned for the future.

The Federal #42-29, which Gasco operates with an approximate 40% working interest, reached total depth of 11,770 feet and encountered 27 feet of net Wasatch pay and 270 feet of net pay in the deeper Mesaverde formation. The company said it expects to begin completion operations in mid-July and continue into August. Natural gas is expected to flow into the sales line in late July.

Gasco also holds a 20% stake in the Federal #23-12, which reached total depth of 11,886 feet and encountered 127 feet of net pay in the Mesaverde formation. Two zones were completed, which include 36 feet of net pay at rates flowing between 575 Mcf/d-1,200 Mcf/d during initial testing. The company added that two additional completion intervals are planned.

The Alger Pass Unit #1 encountered 84 feet of net pay in the Upper Mesaverde with a total depth of 9,375 feet. The well was drilled in 1987 and fraced with older technology. Gasco said it has planned two modern frac stimulation treatments beginning immediately with natural gas production sales anticipated in early July. This well was acquired in a previously announced El Paso acreage swap (see NGI, March 11).

“The early results from this group of completions is encouraging,” said Mark Erickson, Gasco’s CEO. “These wells are meeting our expectations and results continue to validate our geologic model.”

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