Over the course of the Haynesville Shale era operators have experimented with drilling fewer and longer wells.  There is always the question of how much recoverable gas there is in a section and how few wells can be drilled to produce something close to the ultimate recoverable Gas In Place (GIP).  Fewer and longer wells make it possible for operators to produce an mcf of gas for the lowest price.

We started the play with eight wells to the section.  Then over time operators moved to six and then to five employing larger frack cylinders.  This recent application by Expand Energy brings to mind the question of whether the company is experimenting with drilling one U-Turn well in a section with only one older version unit well.  The spacing is curious and creates other questions.  I'd like to hear opinions from our site experts as to what Expand is attempting here and whether this might be successful in recoveries that would make sense with so few wells per section.

I should also point out that Section 19 is "stranded".  That means the EXE does not operate Section 18 to the north (Apex) nor Section 30 to the south (Comstock).  So to me it makes some sense to try this approach in Section 19 - 14N - 15W.  How might this change the dynamics for mineral lessors going forward?

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