Niobrara

Responding to a “resurgence in activity” in the Powder River Basin (PRB) of Wyoming, Williams Partners LP and Crestwood Equity Partners LP are planning to expand their jointly owned Jackalope Gas Gathering System and associated Bucking Horse gas processing facility, Williams said Wednesday.

Natural gas and oil production out of the nation’s seven most prolific unconventional plays is expected to continue its relentless push higher in July, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Oil and natural gas production from the nation’s seven most prolific unconventional plays will continue to edge higher in March, a third consecutive month of increases following an extended downturn, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Highlands Natural Resources plc, a London-based oil and gas resources company, said it has signed a $500,000 farm-in agreement with Renegade Oil & Gas Co. LLC to drill up to six horizontal wells targeting the Niobrara Shale in Colorado.

SandRidge Energy Inc., stumbling financially as it dwells in a lower-priced commodity world, is once again attempting to diversify its operations by acquiring proved reserves and producing wells in the Niobrara formation of Colorado. The $190 million cash agreement announced Wednesday followed news that the Oklahoma City-based independent reported a $640 million net loss in the third quarter, including a $1.1 billion writedown on the value of its portfolio.

Fresh from becoming the largest Bakken producer through a pending multi-billion-dollar acquisition, Whiting Petroleum Corp.’s exploration/development (E&P) senior executive said Wednesday the North Dakota shale play has reached full development phase, while the Niobrara Shale in Colorado may eventually hold twice as many energy resources.

Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. on Wednesday reported more positive downspacing results from its program in the Niobrara Shale at the company’s Bringelson Ranch area in northeast Colorado’s Weld County, saying an eight well multi-bench pilot had averaged a peak initial production (IP) rate of 1,021 boe/d.

WPX Energy Inc.’s remarkable results from natural gas drilling in the Piceance Basin will play second fiddle to oil targets this year as the Tulsa producer attempts to right its financial performance, the CEO said Tuesday.

The new year in North Dakota looks like it will be another record-breaker in terms of oil and natural gas production levels, along with a few surprises that may include adding another shale formation to the prolific Bakken/Three Forks plays.