Goodrich Petroleum Allocates ~65% of 2013 Budget to the Eagle Ford

Goodrich Petroleum Eagle Ford Map
Goodrich Petroleum Eagle Ford Map

Goodrich Petroleum has planned for a capital budget of $175-$200 million in 2013. Of that, $115-137 million will be spent to drill 24-28 gross (16-19 net) wells targeting the Eagle Ford. The rest of the company's budget will be spent between the Haynesville Shale and Tuscaloosa Marine Shale plays.

Production growth will be mute as the company goes full force into its liquids producing plays. Natural gas volumes will decline and oil volumes are expected to roughly offset the decrease.

The top of guidance at $200 million is $50 million less than the company spent in 2012. Natural gas prices are taking a toll on budget in natural gas focused companies.

GDP Eagle Ford Operations Update

Average drilling days per well deceased by 40 percent sequentially in the quarter to 11 days for an average 6,000 foot lateral. Gross well costs for 2013 are projected to average $7.0 – $7.5 million for an average 6,000 foot lateral, which incorporates the lower well costs due to the faster drilling and cycle times achieved in the second half of 2012, as well as the reduced pressure pumping agreements in place for 2013. The Company currently plans to spud its initial Pearsall Shale test well in the first quarter.

 

SM Energy's Plans $650 Million in Eagle Ford Spending in 2013

SM Energy Operated Eagle Ford Acreage Map
SM Energy Operated Eagle Ford Acreage Map

SM Energy plans to spend $650 million or more than 50% of its drilling and completion budget in the Eagle Ford Shale in 2013. That's net of costs carries related to its joint venture with Mitsui. The company will spend a total of $1.5 billion in 2013, with the Bakken being the second largest area of focus.

SM will operate five drilling rigs and two frack crews. Operated activity will be focused in the northern portion of the company's acreage. A total of 75 completions are expected during the year, with an inventory of 40 wells drilled, but not completed at year-end. SM also expects its non-operated partner, Anadarko, will run nine rigs and a spudder rig. Costs associated with Anadarko's drilling are being carried by SM's JV partner and are expect to last another 2-3 years before being exhausted.

Tony Best, CEO, remarked, “Our 2013 capital program positions the Company for another year of record production while generating strong returns from our key projects. The capital budget is anchored by our high return Eagle Ford and Bakken/Three Forks development programs, with additional investments being made in emerging oil programs in the Permian Basin.

Production is expected to grow approximately 20% year over year to 255-267 bcfe and then 15% in each of 2014 and 2015.Read the full press release at sm-energy.com

Eagle Ford Drilling Rig Count at 253 - Jan 4, 2013

Forest Oil Eagle Ford Core Acreage Map
Forest Oil Eagle Ford Acreage Map

Eagle Ford Shale regional drilling held flat at 253 rigs running through New Year 2013. Dimmit and DeWitt counties were the biggest movers. The two counties lost 4 and 3 rigs, respectively.

Be sure you catch the Most Read Eagle Ford Stories of 2012 article that was published earlier in the week. Company announcements grabbed headlines on the largest scale, but jobs and more general topics like "How Long Will the Eagle Ford Last?" also made the list.

In regular news, Forest Oil will sell its South Texas holdings to Hilcorp for $325 million. The deal is for natural gas properties outside of the Eagle Ford. Expect Forest to use the proceeds to pay down debt and focus in on development in the Texas Panhandle and Eagle Ford.

Eagle Ford Oil & Gas Rigs

The natural gas rig count was 47 this week as gas prices fell further. Natural gas prices had traded down almost twenty cents to $3.29 on January 4th.

The oil rig count grew two rigs to reach 204 running in the area. WTI crude futures were trading near $93 per barrel to end the week. Eagle Ford crude priced at $105.78/bbl on the 3rd of January. Eagle Ford light crude and condensate in the area traded at $89.25 and $88.25, respectively.

There are 241 horizontal rigs running in the region. One storage well is being drilled in Zavala County and one disposal well is being drilled in Frio County.

La Salle County leads development with 32 rigs running. Karnes with 29 rigs, McMullen (29), Webb (24), Dimmit (22), Gonzales (21), DeWitt (18), Live Oak (14), Atascosa (10), Fayette (8), Lavaca (8), Frio (6), and Leon (6) round out the top counties in the region. [ic-c] South Texas Oil & Gas News:

Be sure to visit our South Texas Oilfield Job Listings to search openings and come back weekly for updates or sign up for alerts -

Eagle Ford Rig Count by Operator

What is the Rig Count?

The Eagle Ford Shale Rig Count is an index of the total number of oil & gas drilling rigs running across a 30 county area in South Texas. The South Texas rigs referred to in this article are for ALL drilling reported by SmithBits and not solely wells targeting the Eagle Ford formation. All land rigs and onshore rig data shown here are based upon industry estimates provided by the Baker Hughes Rig Count and/or Smith Service Co's (Schlumberger) Smith Rig Count.

Eagle Ford Shale Drilling by County

Forest Oil Sells South Texas Assets - Keeps Eagle Ford

Forest Oil Eagle Ford Core Acreage Map
Forest Oil Eagle Ford Acreage Map

Forest Oil has entered an agreement to sell its South Texas oil & gas properties outside of the Eagle Ford Shale to Hilcorp. The deal will raise $325 million that will be used to pay down debt. The company has sold approximately $600 million in non-core assets in the past six months. This deal is estimated to cover 129,000 acres. Forest will retain all of its natural gas hedges and now has approximately 95% of its gas production hedged for 2013. The properties sold included production of 66 mmcfed (86% natural gas) and 272 Bcfe of proved reserves.

Patrick R. McDonald, CEO, stated, “We are pleased to announce further progress in our deleveraging plan with the sale of our non-core South Texas natural gas properties at metrics that are attractive to Forest shareholders .......The allocation of capital and resources towards our core oil and liquids assets in the Texas Panhandle and Eagle Ford,....on a pro forma basis, the liquids contribution of our production mix is approximately forty percent and will continue to increase due to our oil-focused drilling program.....”

Most Read Eagle Ford Stories in 2012

Eagle Ford Shale Well Map - Dec 2012
Eagle Ford Shale Well Map

As we reviewed 2012, we compiled a list of the most popular stories. We thought you might enjoy them as well:

We wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2013. In the past year, we watch the EagleFordShale.com reach expand to almost half a million readers. If you are looking to grow your business in South Texas, make sure to visit our Eagle Ford Advertising page.