RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY
MARCH 15, 2018

La. Mineral and Energy Board says
There is a Resurgence in the Austin Chalk Play In Louisiana

Consider What’s Open and Available for Leasing in Louisiana

Here are a few things that the Mineral and Energy Board would like prospective oil and gas companies and industry interested in the Austin Chalk to know-

• The Austin Chalk play is experiencing a resurgence in drilling activity
• The eastern portion of the Austin Chalk play has unexplored and under-explored areas with significant open acreage available
• Specifically, over 70,000 acres of land and water is currently open in this emerging Austin Chalk Play, while over 3,000 acres is available in the Mature Austin Chalk Play
• New permitting and leasing activity is happening right now in Rapides, Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes
• Prospective leaseholders have the convenience of nominating state owned lands and water bottoms online, linked here.

The Austin Chalk Play in Louisiana

The Austin Chalk play in Louisiana is experiencing a resurgence in activity.  New horizontal drilling and completion techniques have resulted in substantial production rates.  The EOG – Eagle Ranch 14-1H, drilled in Avoyelles parish and completed 9-11-2017, tested at a rate of 1120 BOPD + 1157 MCFD.  A portion of the well log is presented below.

New well permits include new drills of horizontal wells by Texegy Operating Co, re-entering an abandoned well by WJ Energy LLC, and new drills of vertical wells for the Austin Chalk by Torrent Oil LLC.  

Historically, the majority of the production has occurred in the western half of the state, in Vernon and Rapides parishes, with Masters Creek, West Masters Creek, and Sugartown fields the most prolific.  These 3 fields have produced 34 MMBO + 148 BCFG from the Austin Chalk.  New permitting and leasing activity is concentrated in the central and eastern portions of the play in Rapides, Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes.    

The play has proven productive to the east in Livingston parish where the Chevron – AUS C RA SUA; Crown Zellerbach 7 #1 well (SN 165286) produced 291 MBO + 357 MMCFG from 1980 to 1986.  This was a vertical well perforated in the Austin Chalk at 16215 to 16350’.  

  AUSTIN CHALK ACTIVITY MAP

As shown by the map, the eastern portion of the Austin Chalk play has several unexplored and under-explored areas with substantial historic production and significant open acreage opportunities.  

Austin Chalk Production in Louisiana:

Currently, there are 57 wells producing from the Austin Chalk in Louisiana.  A table and chart of the current operators and producing fields are presented below. 

Historically, the Austin Chalk has been a prolific oil producer with significant associated casinghead gas production.

Cumulative Production:        

                              65,552,898 Million Barrels of Oil

                              239,140,306 Billion Cubic Feet of Gas

A chart of cumulative production for several Austin Chalk fields shows the majority of oil is recovered within the first 6 years.  This is very attractive economically as it allows for the rapid payout of development expenses and the realization of profit.   

Austin Chalk Current Activity in Louisiana:

CONOCOPHILLIPS Company has permitted a well in Freeland Field, East Feliciana Parish. AUS C RA SUA;MCKOWEN 001, SN 251215 Sec 58 – T3S – R1W East Feliciana Parish, Freeland Field.

Texegy Operating Company LLC permitted a new horizontal well in North Burr Ferry Field, Vernon Parish. SN 250597 Sec 17 – T1N – R10W Vernon Ph. North Burr Ferry Field. Update: permit expired effective 5/7/18.

WJ Energy LLC is attempting to re-enter an abandoned Austin Chalk well in North Cheneyville Field, Rapides Parish. AUS C RA SUFF;TRLLC 20 H 001, SN 250723 Sec 23 – T1N – R2E Rapides Ph. North Cheneyville Field.

Torrent Oil LLC has permitted 4 vertical wells to the Austin Chalk in St. Landry Parish; 3 wells in North Bayou Jack field and 1 well in Moncrief Field.

                                  SN 250958 Sec 33 – T2S – R6E St. Landry Ph North Bayou Jack Field

                                  SN 250724 Sec 33 – T2S – R6E St. Landry Ph North Bayou Jack Field.

                                  SN 250725 Sec 5 – T3S – R6E St. Landry Ph North Bayou Jack Field.

                                  SN 250806 Sec 4 – T3S – R6E St. Landry Ph Moncrief Field.

Austin Chalk Current Production in Louisiana:

The Austin Chalk is currently producing in the following fields:

New Completion: The EOG – Eagle Ranch 14-1H Well, Avoyelles Parish

DNR’s Office of Mineral Resources has compiled related well data, permitting and play information, and geological maps to assist businesses in reviewing the economic potential of this area for further development. OMR Austin Chalk Play Resource Link.

Contact DENR OMR at 225-342-4615 and visit our website at DENR Office of Mineral Resources.

RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY REPORT

 AUSTIN CHALK ACTIVITY MAP