The "Western Haynesville" is a quickly evolving play based on the deep Haynesville and Bossier geological formations. Comstock Resources was the early mover and Aethon has followed suit. Both companies have built large leasehold positions and drilled impressive wells. Other major unconventional O&G companies are joining them as the play area expands. Mitsui E&P USA has built a large position and Expand (Chesapeake) is heavily rumored to be leasing. There may be more major operators chasing this trend via the multiple brokerage firms that are active in the eastern expansion of the trend. The play area originally was comprised of Leon, Roberston and Freestone counties as the focus for early drilling. Leasing operations and "trend subsurface work" has seen the play expand to include Houston, Anderson, Cherokee and Nacogdoches counties. The eastward expansion to Nacogdoches County now almost connects the western trend to the original Haynesville Shale fairway. The prospective section in this trend ranges from 2000' to over 4000' thick, and the opportunity for multiple target intervals is highly probable based on some stacked lateral efforts by Comstock. The play is deep, hot and over pressured making it an expensive and challenging trend to drill, fracture stimulate and produce.
Expand Energy’s First Far Western Haynesville Wildcat IPs 27.5 MMcf/d
July 30, 2026 Clark Savage https://energynewsbeat.co
Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: EXE), North America’s largest independent natural gas producer, has reported a strong initial production (IP) rate of 27.5 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) from its first horizontal wildcat in the Far Western Haynesville. The Bobby Yancey #2H well, located in Houston County, Texas, features an 8,158-foot lateral and represents an extension attempt of the emerging Far Western Haynesville play pioneered farther west by operators such as Comstock Resources.
This result follows earlier vertical appraisal work on the Bobby Yancey #1 and comes amid Expand’s disciplined appraisal program in the area. The company has positioned the Western Haynesville as a long-dated strategic option rather than a near-term growth driver, with roughly $75 million allocated to appraisal spending within its 2026 capital budget.
Oil & Gas Pro
Rock Man
Expand handling the evaluation of this extension of the Western Haynesville / Bossier trend in true "Chesapeake" fashion.
Expensive - yes. But getting the rock information will help optimize the monetization of this trend.
The Yancey 1H is basically a 20+ mile step out from the Comstock et al "core area" in the Western Fairway.
Expand has done similar science well SW of Palestine - presently evaluating that information before deciding on the permitting of a horizontal well in that area.
In addition, I am betting the Expand is using these vertical science wells as microseismic monitor wellbores associated with Horizontal fracs in this area.
Jul 30