Bergold 29H Unit - Wells 3, 4, 5, & 6
Encana appears to be on the verge of taking that next, and likely last, major step to understanding just how valuable the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale can be.
Moreover, by taking this last step, I believe Encana is telling us they plan to stay a little longer.
What am I talking about?
You may first want to read this post from a week or so ago.
https://tmshorizons.com/index.php/tms-news/2014-news/november-2014/well-spacing/
I wrote the referenced post after learning about the possibility of several multiple wells planned for one unit in the near future.
This possibility is seemingly becoming a likelihood.
Six (6) wells appear to be planned in the foreseeable future for the Bergold unit in southeast Amite County.
I’ve mentioned the Stewart /Bergold 4 well pad and posted pictures of the development of that pad. Here are the latest pictures from over a week ago.
So, this would mean there would be 2 wells drilled on the east side of the Bergold 29 unit, wells numbered -1 and -2. Now there is a 4 well pad in the planning stages for wells 3-6 in the Bergold 29H unit located roughly 1/4 mile east.
I’m going to assume that wells -3 and -4 will be the two in the middle and wells -5 and -6 will be on the west side.
If my assumption is true, then the odd wells will be on the north side of the units while the even wells will be on the south side. Regardless, let’s assume this to be true for further discussions.
So, the obvious question is: Why would Encana drill 6 wells in one unit?
The only reason I can imagine is to study spacing as I discussed in the first referenced post.
I’m guessing that the Stewart/Bergold wells will be fracked first. That is, Bergold 29H-1 & -2 wells will be fracked first.
Then I’m guessing the Bergold 29H-3, -4, -5 and -6 wells will be drilled.
Finally, I’m assuming the Bergold 29H-5 & -6 wells will be fracked followed immediately by -3 and -4 wells being fractured.
Why in this order?
Again, from my earliest referenced post above, there is the theory that the fracturing is skewed in the direction of any nearby wells that have been previously fractured.
Further, there is the theory that by fracturing in the middle of two previously fractured wells, this skewing would disappear and a more balanced or normally distributed fracture would occur.
So, assuming this is what Encana plans, then I predict Encana will space wells 1, 3 and 5 apart by 660 foot and space wells 2, 4 and 6 a bit further distance…perhaps 750 foot apart.
Spacing of 660 foot would allow for 8 wells to be drilled in one direction or 16 wells per 2,000 acre unit while spacing of 750 foot would allow for 7 wells to be drilled in one direction or 14 wells per 2,000 acre unit.
Or, maybe they will attempt a closer spacing? Perhaps 585 foot apart? This would allow for 9 wells in one direction or 18 wells per 2,000 acre unit.
Regardless of what Encana decides, the ultimate spacing could provide a final major piece to understanding the value of the acreage in the TMS. This knowledge could also help Encana decide whether to stay and continue development of the play or whether to leave the play for greener pastures elsewhere.
Folks, the experiment that is the TMS has been and remains a very, very interesting story.
Stay tuned!
Oh, by the way…here are pictures of the survey markers for this new 4 well pad for the Bergold 29H-3, -4, -5 & -6 wells.
Access point stake:
Wider view of access point:
View of proposed site:
