Unconventional oil and natural gas production from shale has transformed North America’s energy outlook. Because of this, news headlines are filled with stories about the critical economic benefits the shale energy boom is providing the U.S.
Although a significant amount of attention is currently being placed on the unconventional development of natural resources, the upside potential in the redevelopment of mature oil and gas fields is oftentimes overlooked.
Many mature fields have been abandoned while producing at commercial rates. Furthermore, less than 50 percent of recoverable oil is generally produced during the initial development phase of many conventional oil and natural gas fields.
By implementing new wells in mature fields and utilizing technological advancements to optimize production capacity, companies specializing in mature field redevelopment can more efficiently access and produce the remaining oil and gas.
Experience dictates the redevelopment of these fields to be low risk due to its low initial costs and increased likelihood of payout, even with below average cumulative recovery.
Unconventional vs. Conventional Production
Based on our extensive experience in central Oklahoma, GeoComp Energy has sufficient data to compare the economics of a Mississippian Lime Play prospect with a conventional, mature redevelopment project.
The Mississippian Lime extends from Kansas through northeastern Oklahoma, maintains roughly a 6,000 foot depth and has lower well costs compared to other popular formations such as the Bakken or the Eagle Ford.
To effectively compare the economics of a Mississippian Lime prospect to those of a mature field redevelopment project, we analyzed decline curves from new Mississippian wells and from vertical infill wells drilled in mature fields throughout Oklahoma.
The geographic location of the data sets, as well as the reduced capital expenditures of the two fields provided a more ideal framework for such an analysis. For the purposes of this evaluation, we established the following parameters to determine the costs and profitability of the two prospects:
- Four wells and one new salt water disposal well for each type of prospect
- 1,280 acres required for the Mississippian project
- 160 acres for the mature field redevelopment prospect
- Average acreage, drilling, completion and commodity prices
- 8 year economic model
As you can see, the mature field redevelopment prospect requires only about 1/4th of the initial capital necessary to develop the Mississippian Lime play project.
However, the Mississippian prospect produces roughly 50 percent more hydrocarbons over an eight year period. Because of this, the projected net value of the Mississippian project after 8 years of production reaches an impressive $40 million, whereas the estimated worth of the mature field redevelopment prospect is $25 million.
Nevertheless, the mature field redevelopment prospect exhibits an improved return on investment. In fact, the projected ROI of the mature field redevelopment prospect more than doubles the estimated ROI of the Mississippian Lime play prospect since it requires a substantially lower capital investment.
Considering the difference in initial costs and the improved ROI projections, mature field redevelopment projects present low-risk opportunities for oil and gas companies compared to the operational risks and elevated costs associated with unconventional drilling.
Under the Radar
The unconventional production of oil and natural gas from shale is without a doubt essential to the economic recovery of our nation. However, independent oil and natural gas companies can benefit greatly from the lowered risk and enhanced economic advantages of optimizing production in mature fields.
Although the scale may not attract a great deal of attention from media avenues, mature field redevelopment projects typically offer a higher ROI ratio compared to unconventional oil and natural gas prospects.
Your Turn
What do you think? Should more companies focus their resources on redeveloping old fields, instead of chasing headlines and unconventional plays? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Jeff Welber
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Big companies need big reserves to move the stock price. Small independents are typically privately owned or family owned, we need to make money and don’t have shareholders or stock price to worry with. We typically operate off of cash flow and grow organically. Big oil companies can do science projects, step out and drill horizontally and frac. Small companies need to wait and have the area and technology proved up before turning to the right. With lower overhead and lower G&A, small companies can make a nice profit, were the bigger oil companies are no longer operating the property profitably. Big oil hunts elephants and swings for the grand slams, small companies can hit singles and America needs us both!
Well said Bill!! I couldn’t agree more.
Big companies need big reserves to move the stock price. Small independents are typically privately owned or family owned, we need to make money and don’t have shareholders or stock price to worry with. We typically operate off of cash flow and grow organically. Big oil companies can do science projects, step out and drill horizontally and frac. Small companies need to wait and have the area and technology proved up before turning to the right. With lower overhead and lower G&A, small companies can make a nice profit, were the bigger oil companies are no longer operating the property profitably. Big oil hunts elephants and swings for the grand slams, small companies can hit singles and America needs us both!
Well said Bill!! I couldn’t agree more.