Niobrara Shale in the US - Oil Shale Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020

GlobalData, December 2010, Pages: 32

Niobrara Shale in the US - Oil Shale Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020

Summary

Our new report “Niobrara Shale in the US - Oil Shale Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020” analyzes the recent activities in the Niobrara shale play. The report details the operational activities in the play analyzing drilling activities, cost trends, initial production rates and expected well decline curves. The report also provides information on production trends in the Niobrara shale play with forecasts to 2020. It analyzes the competitive landscape of the Niobrara shale, detailing operations of the major companies. It also details the merger and acquisition activities in the shale play from January to November 2010.

Scope

- The report analyzes the activities in the US Niobrara shale. The scope of the report includes:
- Details of the major companies in the Niobrara shale by acreage
- Niobrara shale’s expected production during 2010-2020
- Cost per well and acreage costs in the shale play
- Niobrara shale drilling statistics by state, company and county
- Information on major mergers and acquisitions in the Niobrara shale play during 2010
- Analysis of the operation of major companies in the play like Noble Energy, EOG Resources and others.

Reasons to buy

- The report will enhance your decision making capability. It will allow you to:
- Understand the changing dynamics of the oil and gas industry in the US by understanding the role that shale plays in the energy industry of the country.
- Develop business strategies with the help of specific insights about this shale play.
- Understand trends and activities in Niobrara shale play.
- Understand the market positioning of the major players in this shale play.
- Increase future revenue and profitability with the help of insights about future opportunities and critical success factors in the shale plays.

1 Table of contents
1.1 List of Tables
1.2 List of Figures
2 Introduction
2.1 Overview
2.2 Report Guidance
3 Niobrara Shale Play Overview
3.1 Niobrara Shale Play, Location
3.2 With Crude Oil Prices Much Higher Than Gas Prices, Companies are Increasing Focus Towards Liquid Shale Plays
3.3 Niobrara Shale Play, Leasing Details
3.3.1 Land Lease Sale, May 2010 (State Lands)
3.3.2 Land Lease Sale, July 2010 (State Lands)
3.3.3 Land Lease Sale, August 2010 (State Lands)
3.3.4 Land Lease Sale, November 2010 (State Lands)
4 Niobrara Shale, Operational Overview
4.1 Niobrara Shale, Initial Production Rates
4.2 Niobrara Shale, Production Trends, 2010-2020
4.3 Niobrara Shale, Cost Trends, 2010
4.3.1 Well Cost
4.3.2 Operating Cost
4.3.3 Acreage Cost
4.4 Niobrara Shale, Drilling Activity, 2010
4.4.1 Recent Wells Drilled
4.5 Niobrara Shale, Major Drilling Activities in Colorado
4.5.1 Colorado, Drilling Activities by Field
4.5.2 Colorado, Drilling Activities by Company
4.6 Niobrara Shale, Major Drilling Activities in Wyoming
4.6.1 Wyoming, Drilling Activities by County
4.6.2 Wyoming, Drilling Activities by Company
4.6.3 Future Drilling Activities
5 Niobrara Shale, Competitive Landscape
5.1 Niobrara Shale, Major Companies by Acreage, 2010
5.2 Niobrara Shale, Operational Analysis of Major Companies
5.2.1 Noble Energy
5.2.2 EOG Resources
5.2.3 Rex Energy
6 Niobrara Shale, Mergers and Acquisition Activity in the Play, 2009-2010
7 Appendix
7.1 Abbreviations
7.2 Methodology
7.2.1 Coverage
7.2.2 Secondary Research
7.2.3 Primary Research
7.2.4 Expert Panel Validation
7.3 Contact Us
7.4 Disclaimer

“Niobrara Shale in the US - Oil Shale Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020” analyzes the recent activities in the Niobrara shale play. The report details the operational activities in the play analyzing drilling activities, cost trends, initial production rates and expected well decline curves. The report also provides information on production trends in the Niobrara shale play with forecasts to 2020. It analyzes the competitive landscape of the Niobrara shale, detailing operations of the major companies. It also details the merger and acquisition activities in the shale play from January to November 2010.

Postive Well Results From Initial Wells Have Led to Increased Investment in Niobrara Shale Play

The strong results from the initial wells drilled in the Niobrara shale play, especially Noble Energy’s Gemini and EOG Resources’ Jake 2-01H, have proved initial potential of the play. This has encouraged a number of companies to acquire acreages in the areas prospective for Niobrara shale.

The increased interest of the companies in the shale play is evident from the recent lease sale rounds held by the Wyoming State Lands and Investments Board for area expected to be prospective for Niobrara shale. The overall investments in the state lease sale awards increased from an average of $3.2m in 2008-2009 rounds to an average of $37.5m in 2010 lease rounds. The federal lease rounds have also attracted considerable investment.

Niobrara Shale Set to Witness Significant Increase in Drilling Activities in 2011

With a large number of companies starting their initial exploration programs in the Niobrara shale in 2011, the shale play would witness a significant increase in drilling activities over the next few years. Marathon Oil plans to start an exploratory program in the shale play in 2011. Whiting Petroleum and MDU Resources plan to drill their first test well in Niobrara during the first half of 2011. Continental Resources plans to drill its first well in the shale in December 2010, with further wells in the second quarter 2011.

In Wyoming, as per Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission, 202 horizontal well permits targeting Niobrara formation had been issued in the state as of November 24, 2010. In Colorado, during 2009–September 2010, there were 208 approved permits for Niobrara shale formation.

Continued Difference in the International Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices is Driving Development of Liquid Rich Shale Plays

The continued difference between international crude oil and natural gas prices has forced companies to look towards liquid rich plays like Eagle Ford shale and Niobrara shale. Also, the success of the companies in using horizontal drilling in Bakken shale play has proved that these liquid shale plays can earn much better overall economics (especially in the current price environment) with the new technological advancements in terms of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

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