Drilled, Uncompleted HA Wells

As of late, many of the newer HA wells are being drilled and then immediately shut in (drilled, uncompleted - DUC's) I assume this is a simple matter of the suppressed (yet rallying) price of natural gas.

Does anyone know at what point the operator will "shut in" or delay the completion of the well. For example, I know the drilling rig comes and goes and then they 1) perf the casing 2) frac the well and 3) drill out the plugs - so when a well is drilled, but not completed, at what stage do they stop prior to completion. 

Finally, does anyone have any idea as to what it will take for the various operators to complete these wells? While the NG price is up to $2.40 today, I understand it also may be a matter of price forecasting...any insight would be a great help. 

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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on June 2, 2016 at 11:34

Once a well reaches Total Depth (TD) and the last casing string is set and cemented, work associated with the rig is finished.  Although operators can choose to delay completion operations (fracking) for market reasons more often the reason for a delay is that there is not a completion crew available at that time.  It's not unusual for a well to wait some weeks for completion ops to commence.  One reason for delaying completion is to build up a backlog of DUCs to create negotiating leverage for a discount from the service company that provides the crew.

Permalink Reply by William W. Waring III on June 3, 2016 at 3:09

Thanks Skip. 

Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on June 3, 2016 at 3:12

You're welcome, William.  I'm seeing more DUCs across the Haynesville and Cotton Valley N LA play areas currently.  I think the number will begin to decrease this summer.

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