Operators

Unearthing the potential beneath deepwater fracturing

Stimulation could expand Gulf of Mexico Lower Tertiary production by 170% in 5 years

byEnverus

CALGARY, Alberta (March 13, 2024) — Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the leading generative AI and energy-dedicated SaaS company, has released a report that assesses fracturing parameters and recovery enhancement within the Gulf of Mexico’s (GOM) Lower Tertiary play and analyzes project economics. 

“Growth of oil production from the Gulf of Mexico depends on operators successfully developing reservoirs found in what the energy industry calls the Lower Tertiary geological trend,” said Marvin Ma, report author and a vice president at EIR. “Developing the resource is challenging because the reservoirs typically contain ultra-high pressure and low permeability, so modern drilling and fracturing technologies are critical to unleashing their potential.” 

“The market is under-appreciating the role of hydraulic fracturing in the Gulf of Mexico — and its role in growing the Lower Tertiary play and potentially other offshore regions,” added Andy McConn, director and head of commercial intelligence at EIR. 

Key takeaways: 

  • EIR estimates the Lower Tertiary play will lead the GOM’s oil expansion with a production compound annual growth rate of 22% between 2023 and 2028. 
  • Only four operators have fractured 27 wells in the past decade, representing half of the Lower Tertiary producer wells. 
  • EIR has found that three to five zones can be fractured for each well, with an average treatment time of two days per zone. 
  • For the Julia, Saint Malo and Stones fields, EIR believes estimated ultimate recovery (EURs) increase by 6-10 MMbbl/well after fracturing stimulation occurs.  

You must be an Enverus Intelligence® subscriber to access this report. 

Members of the media should contact Jon Haubert to schedule an interview with one of Enverus’ expert analysts. 

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of Enverus products including Enverus Intelligence® Research and Enverus Core®.  

About Enverus Intelligence Research
Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations and macro-economic forecasts; and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies and capital providers worldwide. Enverus is the most trusted, energy-dedicated SaaS platform, offering real-time access to analytics, insights and benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from our partnerships to 98% of U.S. energy producers, and more than 35,000 suppliers. Learn more at Enverus.com.

Media Contact: Jon Haubert | 303.396.5996

View all press releases at Enverus.com/newsroom.

Picture of Enverus

Enverus

Energy’s most trusted SaaS platform — creating intelligent connections that uncover insights and opportunities to deliver extraordinary outcomes.

Related News

Africa emerges as center of global upstream acreage rush
Newsroom
Operators
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research finds Africa captured about half of new upstream country entries globally in 1H25–1H26, led by expanding activity in West Africa and renewed licensing interest in North Africa.

Global drilling availability narrows as demand rises
Newsroom
Oilfield Services
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research identifies the global regions best positioned for rig deployment and the geopolitical and operational factors shaping future growth. Discover where global land drilling opportunities are emerging as international demand rises and market access becomes increasingly constrained.

Enverus unveils top U.S. drillers of 2026
Newsroom
Oilfield Services
ByJon Haubert

Enverus releases its 2026 rankings of top U.S. land drilling contractors and customers, using the latest drilling data to benchmark footage, pace, well design and rig activity.

Who the FERC is ready Grading grid readiness for large loads
Newsroom
Financial Services, Power & Renewables
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research evaluates U.S. grid readiness for large data center loads, finding SPP ahead on regulatory certainty while major PJM and MISO project pipelines remain exposed to timing and cost risks.

Behind-the-meter generation forecast Skipping the queue
Newsroom
Financial Services, Power & Renewables
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research forecasts 25.5 GW of U.S. industrial demand will rely on behind-the-meter generation through 2030, with data centers driving 88% of demand and speed-to-power shaping technology choices.

2Q26 U.S. upstream M&A slows to $9.1 billion amid crude volatility
Newsroom
Financial Services, Operators
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research examines the 2Q26 slowdown in U.S. upstream M&A and the factors that could drive stronger deal activity later in 2026.

Brent holds at $100 as global supply risks persist
Newsroom
Financial Services, Trading & Risk
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research examines the 2Q26 slowdown in U.S. upstream M&A and the factors that could drive stronger deal activity later in 2026.

Race to resiliency Tax-credit phaseout expected to push renewable PPA prices higher
Newsroom
Financial Services, Power & Renewables
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research identifies 759 planned U.S. wind and solar projects that may require higher PPA prices to remain economic as federal clean electricity tax credits phase out.

New Mexico geothermal lease sale resets federal acreage pricing
Newsroom
Financial Services, Midstream
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research finds New Mexico’s BLM geothermal lease sale averaged $107/acre and set multiple records, resetting pricing expectations ahead of Idaho’s November auction.

Find Out How Enverus Can Help Your Business
Subscribe to the Energy Blog

A weekly update on the latest “no-fluff” insight and analysis of the energy industry.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Get Started

Sign up for our Blog

Ready to Subscribe?

Ready to Get Started?