Utica Shale

National Fuel Gas Company Updates Utica Shale Operations

National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG) reported the completion of two horizontal wells drilled into the Utica Shale in McKean and Forest counties in Pennsylvania.

National Fuel Gas Company said that both Utica Shale wells are shut in for 60 days and will be put onto sales in November 2012.  The company reported that Tionesta well in Forest County had all hydraulic fracturing stages completed successfully, while the Mt. Jewett well in McKean County had only three hydraulic fracturing stages completed successfully.  National Fuel Gas Company said that the problem with the Mt. Jewett well was unrelated to the quality of the reservoir.      

National Fuel Gas Company plans to drill the Owl’s Nest well into the Utica Shale in fiscal 2013.   

Rex Energy Reports On Utica Shale Well

Rex Energy (REXX) reported production results on the company’s first Utica Shale well drilled in Ohio.

The Brace #1H well produced 1,094 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) during the first 24 hours, with 43% of the production composed of natural gas liquids, 31% natural gas and 26% condensate.  The production figures assume full ethane recovery.

The Brace #1H well is located in Carroll County, Ohio, and was drilled to a total measured depth of 12,332 feet with a lateral length of approximately 4,170 feet.   The well was completed with a 17 stage hydraulic fracturing operation.  The crude oil has an API gravity of 60.1 degrees and the natural gas is approximately 1,250 BTU.

Gulfport Energy Updates Utica Shale Drilling Program

Gulfport Energy (GPOR) reported that the company has reached total depth on three horizontal wells drilled into the Utica Shale.

The Wagner 1-28H well found 123 feet of pay in the Utica Shale/Point Pleasant formation and was completed with a 28 stage hydraulic fracturing operation.  Gulfport Energy plans to wait 60 days before flowing the well.

The Boy Scout 1-33H well was drilled with a 7,974 foot lateral and found 126 feet of pay in the Utica Shale/Point Pleasant formation.  The well is currently undergoing hydraulic fracturing operations.

The Groh 1-12H was drilled with a 5,414 foot horizontal lateral and is waiting on completion operations.  The well found approximately 119 feet of net Utica Shale/Point Pleasant pay.

Gulfport Energy is operating two rigs in the Utica Shale and plans to drill at least two additional horizontal Utica Shale wells in 2012.