OREANDA-NEWS. EOG has moved four horizontal plays in the DJ Basin and Powder River Basin from the evaluation phase into its high rate-of-return drilling portfolio alongside its successful South Texas Eagle Ford, North Dakota Bakken and Delaware Basin Leonard assets. With combined estimated net potential reserves of approximately 400 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), the Codell, Niobrara, Parkman and Turner plays are generating excellent rates of return and remarkably consistent well results, due in part to reductions in drilling costs and advancements in completion techniques. EOG has identified 735 net drilling locations with approximately 10 years of inventory and plans to drill 73 net wells in these two basins during 2014.

Year-to-date, EOG has completed four net wells targeting the Codell in Laramie County, Wyoming, where it holds 72,000 net acres in the DJ Basin. The Jubilee 513-0820H began production at 1,325 barrels of oil per day (Bopd) with 700 thousand cubic feet per day (Mcfd) of rich natural gas. The Windy 504-1806H started production at 1,400 Bopd with 665 Mcfd of rich natural gas. The Pole Creek 525-2413H tested at 1,165 Bopd. EOG has 75 percent, 100 percent and 93 percent working interest, respectively, in these wells. Based on the evaluation of the geologic characteristics of the formation, data from 130 vertical wells drilled by other industry operators and eight producing EOG long-lateral horizontal wells, estimated potential reserves are approximately 125 MMboe, net, of which 78 percent is crude oil. EOG plans to ramp up drilling activity from one to two rigs in May and drill 26 net wells this year.

EOG completed three horizontal wells in the hydrocarbon-rich Niobrara shale during 2013, which had an average initial oil production rate of approximately 700 barrels per day (Bpd). EOG's acreage is quite consistent in this part of the DJ Basin. The estimated reserve potential on EOG's Niobrara acreage in Laramie County, Wyoming, and Weld County, Colorado is 85 MMboe, net, with wells averaging approximately 71 percent crude oil. EOG plans to drill 13 net wells during 2014 with a one-rig program. EOG has identified 235 net drilling locations on its acreage.

North of the DJ Basin in the Powder River Basin, EOG added the Parkman and Turner plays to its drilling portfolio. Active in this area for several years, EOG has transferred advanced completion technology from its other shale basins to improve well productivity in these plays. During 2014, EOG plans to drill 28 net wells in the Parkman and six net wells in the Turner.

Year-to-date, EOG has completed six net wells in the Parkman formation. The Bolt 429-05H, in which EOG has 74 percent working interest, came on-line at 1,310 Bopd with 45 Bpd of NGLs and 405 Mcfd of natural gas. The Arbalest 60-3502H started production at 955 Bopd with 80 Bpd of NGLs and 760 Mcfd of natural gas. EOG has 96 percent working interest in this well. Estimated potential reserves on EOG's 30,000 net Parkman acres are 75 MMboe, net, of which approximately 69 percent is crude oil.

In the Turner formation, where EOG has been very active in Campbell and Converse counties in recent years, it has accumulated 63,000 net acres. By transferring enhanced technology to the play, recent EOG wells are producing 34 percent crude oil versus 26 percent several years ago. EOG plans to drill six net wells during 2014 in the Turner where estimated potential net reserves are 115 MMboe.

"As we've stated in the past, EOG's Eagle Ford and Bakken assets have set the bar high for any new play we might consider adding to our top-tier drilling portfolio. The Codell, Niobrara, Turner and Parkman each meet our stringent funding hurdles, adding 400 MMboe, net, of potential reserves and 735 net drilling locations to our drilling inventory," Thomas said. "The sweet spots in these four plays are expected to make meaningful contributions to EOG's crude oil production profile for years to come."