Murphy Hits Record Eagle Ford Production in Q2 2014

Murphy Eagle Ford Acreage
Murphy Eagle Ford Acreage

Murphy Oil Corp.'s second-quarter Eagle Ford production hit a new company record of 52,184 boe/d, with a 90% liquids cut. That's up about 6% from the previous quarter and 33% year-over-year. Murphy expects to surpass 60,000 boe/d in 2015. At current rates, the company should realize its anticipated production target in the first or second quarter of next year.

Portfolio-wide, the company averaged total production of 210,191 boe/d, which is about 3% less than anticipated for the quarter. The shortfall was attributed to Murphy's operational delays relating to its offshore business in Malaysia.

Read more: Murphy's Eagle Ford Production Grows to 39,000 boe/d in 2013

In the Eagle Ford Shale, 53 new wells were brought on line during the quarter. That's up from 44 wells in the first quarter of 2014.

The company is currently operating eight drilling rigs and four completions across the play. Murphy expects to bring on a total of 200 wells (including non-operated locations) in 2014.

Murphy's Upper Eagle Ford Tests Could Boost Drilling Inventory

According to company officials, further testing for upside potential in the Upper Eagle Ford Shale zone is expected, which could yield 600 additional well locations, beyond the 1,500 locations remaining to be drilled in the Lower Eagle Ford Shale. Murphy officials also indicate downspacing efforts across the Eagle Ford continue to deliver positive results. At the company's current pace, officials expect 10 + years of drilling.

Furthermore, Murphy is in the process of conducting negotiations for two separate pipeline arrangements in its Karnes and Tilden areas of the play to transport up to 28,000 b/d oil net to market. The company hopes to reduce trucking operations and improve overall reliability.

Read more at murphyoilcorp.com

Penn Virginia Upper Eagle Ford Production Taking Off

Penn Virginia Eagle Ford Acreage Map
Penn Virginia Eagle Ford Acreage Map

Penn Virginia Corp.'s second-quarter report revealed a decrease in its full-year production guidance portfolio-wide. Company officials cited operational complexities associated with pad drilling and the timing of completions as the primary reasons for the decrease.

Despite lowering its guidance, Penn Virginia's second quarter Eagle Ford production was up 6% to 15,618 boe/d (75% oil cut), compared to 14,761 boe/d in the previous quarter. And Upper Eagle Ford production in the company's Marl position has also been very positive, according to company officials.

Read More: Penn Virginia Acquires Eagle Ford Acreage - $45 Million

In June of 2014, Penn Virginia's average Eagle Ford production was 16,861 boe/d (74% oil cut). The company's average Eagle Ford production in July 2014 is estimated at 18,100 boe/d. Year-to-date, Penn Virginia has turned in line 43 (28.0 net) operated wells, excluding shallow wells.

We have expanded our ongoing pad drilling program in the Eagle Ford and are encouraged by our recent results in the play, especially our results in the Upper Eagle Ford. We are modestly reducing our full-year production guidance, but we remain confident that we can deliver significantly higher production levels in the second half of 2014 as we realize the ongoing benefit of our pad completions and rig expansions along with an increased focus on the Upper Eagle Ford.
— Penn Virginia CEO, H. Baird Whitehead

Penn Virginia Upper Eagle Ford Update

To date, the company has tested three Upper Eagle Ford wells, including the Welhausen #A2H, which had an initial production (IP) rate of 2,165 boe/d. At the release of this post, the Welhausen #A2H average rate is 1,070 boe/d, since being turned to sales in March of 2014.

Company officials believe the Upper Eagle Ford and Lower Eagle Ford are separate reservoirs in the specific areas around the three Upper Eagle Ford test wells. According to company officials, this theory has been based on performance comparisons between adjacent Lower Eagle Ford wells to the Upper Eagle Ford test wells. Penn Virginia plans to spud 19 additional Upper Eagle Ford wells, with eight scheduled in the Welhausen area.