Apache在德克萨斯州发现重大油田

Apache has had a major oil discovery, the Alpine High, in Reeves County, Texas. This comes after more than two years of extensive geologic and geophysical work, methodical acreage accumulation, and strategic testing and delineation drilling. The company estimates hydrocarbons in place on its acreage position are 75 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of rich gas (more than 1,300 BTUs) and 3 billion barrels of oil in the Barnett and Woodford formations alone.

To accelerate the delineation and development of the Alpine High play, Apache has raised its 2016 budget to $2 billion from $1.8 billion. Capital spending on the Alpine High play in 2016 will represent more than 25 percent of Apache’s total capital spending program. Apache is one of a dozen or so shale producers to raise their budget, while other weaker competitors have fallen into bankruptcy, according to Reuters.

Apache has drilled 19 wells in the play, with nine currently producing in limited quantities due to infrastructure constraints. This includes six wells in the Woodford, one well in the Barnett and one well each in the shallower Wolfcamp and Bone Springs oil formations.