Drilling Down: Sanchez Energy drilli...

Houston oil company Sanchez Energy appears to be drilling its way out of bankruptcy.

The company temporarily placed its drilling operations on hold after seeking Chapter 11 protection, but over the past week filed 13 drilling permit applications with the Railroad Commission of Texas, the state agency regulating the oil and natural gas industry. The company is seeking permission to drill 10 horizontal wells on a pair of leases in Dimmit County and another three on a lease in neighboring Webb County.

The wells target the Briscoe Ranch field of the Eagle Ford geological layer down at total depths ranging from 8,600 to 9,600 feet.

Source: Sanchez Energy

Permian Basin

Lakeway oil company MexTex Operating Co. is seeking permission to drill three horizontal wells on its Adams P.G. & J.E lease in Sutton County. Located about 30 miles east of Sonora, the wells target the Fort Terrett Ranch field of the Canyon geological layer to a total depth of 3,000 feet.

British oil major BP is planning to drill 12 horizontal wells on a pair of leases in Karnes County. Located about 4 miles northeast of Runge, 11 of the wells target the Eagleville field of the Eagle Ford geological layer while one targets the Sugarkane field of the Austin Chalk.

Haynesville Shale

Not all horizontal drilling in East Texas seeks natural gas. Houston-based New Century Exploration is seeking permission to drill a horizontal well on its Arch Ne***itt lease in Harrison County. Located about 5 miles northwest of Marshall, the well targets the oil-rich Whelan field of the Pettit geological layer to a total depth of 6,900 feet.

Barnett Shale

Dallas oil company Legacy Exploration plans to drill a horizontal well on its Ragin’ Cajun lease in Jack County. Located about 14 miles north of Jack***oro, the well targets the Dillard SW field of the Marble Falls geological layer down to a total depth of 10,000 feet.

Conventionals

Not all vertical drilling projects aim to extract oil and natural gas. Dallas pipeline operator Energy Transfer LP is drilling a pair of vertical wells to install equipment that will protect a pipeline in Navarro County. With one site near Streetman and the other near Corsicana, the cathodic protection wells target the Wildcat field down to a depth of 390 feet.