Carrizo Acquires Eagle Ford Working Interest - $250-Million

Carrizo Eagle Ford Acreage Map
Carrizo Eagle Ford Acreage Map

Houston-based Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., has closed its $250-million Eagle Ford acquisition of 6,820 net Eagle Ford acres from Eagle Ford Minerals, LLC, for $250-million. The deal represents a ~25% working interest* in the acquired properties, where Carrizo was already the operator. At closing, Carrizo assumed 100% of the working interest in the assets.

The acreage includes leaseholds and producing interests, and is located primarily in the oil window of the play, in LaSalle, Atascosa, and McMullen Counties. Net production from the acquired assets in the third-quarter was approximately 2,670 boe/d, with an 85% oil cut.

“While Carrizo has not historically been active in the acquisition of producing properties, we felt this was a perfect deal for the company. The acquisition adds an incremental 25% working interest in three of our four highest-return areas within the Eagle Ford Shale, and adds a significant amount of undrilled potential in addition to the existing production.”
— S.P. "Chip" Johnson, IV, Carrizo's President and CEO

The acquisition increases Carrizo's Eagle Ford position to more than 81,000 net acres, and its drilling inventory in the play by 93 net wells to more than 915 net locations. At the end of September, Carrizo estimated net proved reserves associated with the acquisition to be 16.7 MMBoe (82% oil).

The transaction was completed on October 24, 2014, with an effective date of October 1, 2014. At closing, Carrizo paid approximately $93 million, with the remaining $150 million to be paid by February 2015.

Working Interest* - whosoever owns the working interest is liable for a portion of the ongoing costs associated with exploration, drilling and production. Working interest owner(s) also fully participate in the profits of any successful wells.

Read more at carrizo.com

Eagle Ford Shale Rig Count Increases by Six to 275

Sanchez Upper Eagle Ford Wells Production Rates
Sanchez Upper Eagle Ford Wells Production Rates

The Eagle Ford Shale rig count increased by six to 275 rigs running across our coverage area by the end of last week.

In recent Eagle Ford news, amid a drop in oil prices, Eagle Ford-focused Sanchez Energy, has seen a sharp dip in its stock price, falling nearly 35% in the past month to ~$18.50. According to the investment research firm, Zacks, the Houston-based company's earning picture suggests the slump may continue.

Despite its 30-day earnings consensus moving lower over the last 30-days, Sanchez returned excellent third quarter production results.

Read more: Sanchez Energy Stock Dips, Despite Good Q3 Production

The U.S. rig count increased by 9 to 1,927 rigs running by the end of last week. A total of 332 rigs were targeting natural gas (four more than the previous week) and 1,595 were targeting oil in the U.S. (5 more than the previous week). The remainder were drilling service wells (e.g. disposal wells, injection wells, etc.). 906 or ~48% of rigs active in the U.S. were running in Texas.

Baker Hughes rig count is quoted here. Baker Hughes also releases its own Eagle Ford Rig Count that covers the 14 core counties (216 rigs). The rig count published on EagleFordShale.com includes a 30 county area impacted by Eagle Ford development. A full list of the counties included can be found in the table near the bottom of this article.

Eagle Ford Oil & Gas Rigs

The natural gas rig count decreased by three to 16 rigs running by the end of last week. Average rig counts for natural gas production in 2012 were around 80 and then dropped to around 40 in 2013. Natural gas prices decreased by $.16 from the previous week to $3.61/mmbtu on Friday afternoon.

The oil rig count increased by nine to 259 rigs running by the end of last week. WTI oil prices decreased by ~$2.00 from the previous week, trading at $81.08/bbl on Friday afternoon. Eagle Ford light crude traded at $78.75/bbl on Oct. 24th.

A total of 248 rigs are drilling horizontal wells, 15 rigs are drilling directional wells, and 12 rigs are drilling vertical wells. Karnes, La Salle, Dimmit, and McMullen each have at minimum 25 rigs running. Karnes County has the highest rig count this week at 37. See the full list below in the Eagle Ford Shale Drilling by County below

South Texas Oil & Gas News:

Be sure to visit our South Texas Oilfield Job Listings to search openings and come back weekly for updates.

Eagle Ford Shale Drilling by County

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 Baker Hughes 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.

Sanchez Energy Stock Dips, Despite Good Q3 Production

Sanchez Upper Eagle Ford Wells Production Rates
Sanchez Upper Eagle Ford Wells Production Rates

Amid a drop in oil prices, Eagle Ford-focused Sanchez Energy, has seen a sharp dip in its stock price, falling nearly 35% in the past month to ~$18.50. According to the investment research firm, Zacks, the Houston-based company's earning picture suggests the slump may continue.

Despite its 30-day earnings consensus moving lower over the last 30-days, Sanchez returned excellent third quarter production results. During the reporting period, Sanchez's estimated portfolio wide production was 38,613 boe/d, an increase of 91% over the second quarter 2014 and an increase of 228% compared to the same period a year ago. The company reported total production volumes for the quarter of 47% oil, 27% NGLs, and 26% natural gas.

“The company has planned for and is poised to rapidly adapt to a changing commodity price environment. As of September 30, 2014, SN’s liquidity was approximately $900 million, consisting of $600 million in cash and an undrawn revolver with a $300 million elected commitment from a$362.5 million borrowing base. Current liquidity combined with future operating cash flow is expected to fully fund the Company’s anticipated 2015 capital program. SN’s substantial amount of HBP acreage and long-term leases allow it to treat the majority of capital spending as discretionary. The Company’s only significant capital commitment is Catarina’s continuous drilling provision of 50 wells per year, which SN believes can be met with 2 to 2.5 rigs per year. Since inception, SN has intentionally avoided long-term contracts and commitments for goods and services in order to maximize its flexibility.”
— CEO Tony Sanchez III

At the end of the second quarter, Sanchez Energy closed its massive $639-million Eagle Ford acreage deal with Royal Dutch Shell for 106,000 net Eagle Ford acres.

Read more: Eagle Ford Deal Closings

In the third quarter, Sanchez focused on assuming operations in its new 'Catarina' acquisition. According to officials, two rigs have been deployed on the western part of the asset drilling development wells targeting the Lower Eagle Ford, while a third rig has begun appraisal drilling on the eastern section of the asset, also targeting the Lower Eagle Ford. The company has also completed the first group of wells that were drilled by the previous operator in the Upper Eagle Ford, and they are now online and flowing to sales. The 9 Upper Eagle Ford wells had initial 24-hour average production rates ranging from 973 boe/d to 2,117 boe/d, with average production rates of 1,402 boe/d, with a 64% liquids cut.

Read more at sanchezenergycorp.com

Clayton Williams May Reduce Eagle Ford Drilling Program - 2015

Clayton Williams Eagle Ford Operations Map
Clayton Williams Eagle Ford Operations Map

With the recent dip in oil prices, Clayton Williams indicated it may be scaling back drilling plans in the Eagle Ford in 2015.

Currently, the company is running a six rig program across its core areas, with three in the Eagle Ford and three in the Delaware Basin, and plans to continue drilling at this pace for the remainder of 2014. Based on this level of activity, the company expects combined oil and gas production for the fourth quarter of 2014 to average between 16,600 and 17,000 boe/d portfolio-wide.

By comparison, Clayton Williams estimates the same number of rigs in the Eagle Ford and Delaware Basin, would yield an average between 18,800 and 19,400 boe/d portfolio-wide in 2015. However, officials indicated in the company's third quarter of 2014 report that a two rig drilling program may be considered in each area, which would reduce production by 1,300 boe/d.

In the third quarter of 2014, the Eagle Ford alone averaged approximately 2,900 boe/d, with a 94% oil cut.

Clayton Williams' Eagle Ford Operations Update - Q3 2014

Currently, Clayton Williams has 22 horizontal Eagle Ford wells on its legacy Austin Chalk acreage block in Burleson, Robertson and Lee Counties, that have been on production for 30 days or more. The peak 30-day production rate for these wells has averaged 518 boe/d, with a 96% oil cut. Six additional wells have been on production for less than 30 days or are currently in various stages of completion, and three wells are currently being drilled. Typical drilling and completion costs in this area range from $5-million to $6-million per well, according to company officials.

Clayton Williams Testing Sequential Fracturing Operations and Well Densities

Clayton Williams is currently testing sequential fracturing operations and increased well densities, primarily in Burleson County, to help determine optimal spacing and fracturing design for future Eagle Ford development. Company officials say two adjacent wells were sequentially fractured with good early results, and there are plans for the fourth quarter to sequentially fracture a group of three adjacent wells.

Read more at ClaytonWilliams.com

Eagle Ford Shale Rig Count Stays Flat at 269

Pioneer Natural Resources' Production Chart
Pioneer Natural Resources' Production Chart

The Eagle Ford Shale rig count stayed flat at 269 rigs running across our coverage area by the end of last week.

In recent Eagle Ford news, India’s Reliance Industries is looking for a buyer for its interest in a three-way joint Eagle Ford joint venture, according to Bloomberg, which cited “people familiar with the matter.” The other players in the JV are Irving, Texas-based Pioneer Natural Resources Co. and a division of Mexico’s Alfa SAB de CV – Newpek, LLC.

Read more: Reliance Industries Seeks Buyer for Eagle Ford JV Interest

The U.S. rig count decreased by 12 to 1,918 rigs running by the end of last week. A total of 328 rigs were targeting natural gas (eight more than the previous week) and 1,590 were targeting oil in the U.S. (19 less than the previous week). The remainder were drilling service wells (e.g. disposal wells, injection wells, etc.). 898 or ~48% of rigs active in the U.S. were running in Texas.

Baker Hughes rig count is quoted here. Baker Hughes also releases its own Eagle Ford Rig Count that covers the 14 core counties (209 rigs). The rig count published on EagleFordShale.com includes a 30 county area impacted by Eagle Ford development. A full list of the counties included can be found in the table near the bottom of this article.

Eagle Ford Oil & Gas Rigs

The natural gas rig count increased by three to 19 rigs running by the end of last week. Average rig counts for natural gas production in 2012 were around 80 and then dropped to around 40 in 2013. Natural gas prices decreased by ~$.10 from the previous week to $3.77/mmbtu on Friday afternoon.

The oil rig count decreased by three to 250 rigs running by the end of last week. WTI oil prices decreased by less than $1.00 from the previous week, trading at $83.15/bbl on Friday afternoon. Eagle Ford light crude traded at $79.25/bbl on Oct. 16th.

A total of 242 rigs are drilling horizontal wells, 12 rigs are drilling directional wells, and 15 rigs are drilling vertical wells. Karnes, La Salle, Dimmit, and McMullen each have at minimum 26 rigs running. Karnes County has the highest rig count this week at 36. See the full list below in the Eagle Ford Shale Drilling by County below

South Texas Oil & Gas News:

Be sure to visit our South Texas Oilfield Job Listings to search openings and come back weekly for updates.

Eagle Ford Shale Drilling by County

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 Baker Hughes 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.