I own some mineral interest in all of Section 418 (Yoakum County, Texas). It was undeveloped until February when a horizontal well started producing. The operators got permits for 2 more “development wells” in May. I was wondering if there is a limit to how many fracking wells are allowed in a section?
I notice some sections have at least 50 oil wells but those, I believe, are older vertical wells. It would seem that frack wells take up more room than regular wells.
Yes, there are limits. Limits by: geology/technology (frack-worthy rock, number of horizons with potential), regulatory (oil vs. gas, spacing, proration/allocation), leasehold (divided vs undivided, leased vs unleased, operator’s willingness & drilling program), capital (is it economical), and the list goes on. It’s a pretty complex question.
As a quick answer, you’d be hard pressed to see more than 5 or 6 horizontal wells per horizon and across a section. But again, it’s a loaded question with a lot of moving parts.
OK, thanks. As I keep learning, oil and gas is very complicated.