By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 3 -- Petrohawk Energy Corp., Houston, is producing a gross 160 MMcfd of gas equivalent (MMcfed) from 16 operated Jurassic Haynesville shale wells in North Louisiana.

The company's budget is $690 million for Haynesville drilling in 2009, when it expects to average 12 rigs and complete 75-80 gross wells.

Petrohawk is targeting laterals of 4,300-4,600 ft with as many as 15 frac stages spaced 325 ft apart to improve drainage and minimize the number of wells.

While laterals at its first four completions averaged 3,339 ft with 10 frac stages, the last 12 completions averaged 3,958 ft and 12 stages except one well that had mechanical problems and only six frac stages.

The four wells turned to sales most recently are:

-- Mack Hogan-4, in 3-16n-11w, Bossier Parish, initial rate of 13.4 MMcfed on a 24/64-in. choke with 6,350 psi flowing casing pressure.

-- Osborne 8-3H, 8-16n-11w, Bossier, 18.8 MMcfed, 24/64-in. choke, 6,800 psi FCP.

-- Roos A-5, 3-16n-11w, Bossier, 15.1 MMcfed, 24/64-in. choke, 6,100 psi FCP.

-- Griffith 11-1, 11-13n-14w, DeSoto, 23.3 MMcfed, 28/64-in., 7,550 psi FCP. Griffith is a long southwest step-out.

Two wells, Sample 4-1 and R.E. Smith Jr. 32-1, had mechanical problems and lower than average production rates.

Of the 16 operated wells on production, 11 have been on production 30 days or more and averaged 15.2 MMcfed in their first 30 days. Eight have been on production 60 days or more and averaged 13.2 MMcfed in the first 60 days. The four wells on line more than 90 days have averaged 8.8 MMcfed in the first 90 days.

All operated wells to date have been produced utilizing similar production practices.

Petrohawk will conduct a pilot program on certain wells in 2009 by altering practices to restrict production by using smaller chokes. It will monitor these wells for effects on decline rate and mechanical operation.