Austin Chalk Update - LA-WEST and TX-EAST

The "big buzz" at NAPE last week in our "little world" was that the Marathon Crowell #2 is producing much better than the initial potential released on SONRIS.  The published test appears to be early in the post-frac flowback.  On SONRIS, a new allowable has been added showing "2300" indicating 2300 bopd.  That's a major improvement from 210 bopd.  Everyone who's been on this blog for years knows that I don't post rumors.  There are many "chat rooms" filled with that.  The facts will always eventually be distributed via the state's regulatory bodies. 

Marathon Crowell #2 (Source: SONRIS)

The rumored rates are consistent with the closest well, the Mcright #11.  In 1997, this well had an initial rate of 1536 bo and 4600 mcf.  Rumored rates are about 50% above this.  The Mcright #11 produced 179 mbo and 0.78 bcf.  Let's hope that the frac impacts a significant amount of matrix porosity.  We'll know a lot more in 90 days about rates, pressure, decline, and water.
Good luck to Marathon! 

I also heard at NAPE that Navidad Resources has had a positive initial test in southern Brookland Field in Tyler County, Texas.  I've not seen an official release for that one.

Let's hope for some significant improvement in commodity prices!