Horizontal Drilling in Permian | Russell T. Rudy Energy LLC
Vertical drilling has been the principal method used in the Permian Basin. However, data recently released by the U. S. Energy Information Administration indicates that as of early 2013 this started to change, and by year-end horizontal drilling was becoming more widely practiced.
Apache Corp., one of the most active players in the Permian, had 22 horizontal and 16 vertical rigs running by early spring of this year. While horizontal drilling is taking hold, its use is still not widespread. Nearly 80% of the horizontal wells drilled in the Permian Basin have been confined to five counties: Reeves, Ward, Martin and Midland in Texas and Eddy in New Mexico. These wells are primarily exploiting the Sprayberry, Wolfcamp and Bone Springs formations.
To read the article in its entirety, please go to www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/133220/Horizontal .
