Postcard from the AADE Operator’s Forum

On February 15, the Appalachia Basin Chapter of the American Association of Drilling Engineers hosted its annual Operator’s Forum.

The following operators and representatives discussed their 2023 activity, as well as their drilling plans for 2024:

• Antero - Tom Waltz
• Arsenal - Ross Schweitzer
• Northeast Natural Energy - Josh Dalton
• Coterra - Greg Schneider
• Infinity Natural Resources - Jamie Czerneski
• Laurel Mountain Energy - Jarrett Toms
• Lola Energy - Joe Morris
• Olympus Energy - Joseph Yuyi
• Range Resources - Jon Hinson
• Repsol - Oliver Floyd Gabin
• Seneca Resources - Jhon Sepulveda
• STL Resources - Ian Lucas

As each speaker presented his company’s customized 2024 plans, a couple of themes arose. One was uncertainty, since plans that have been developed are now subject to change due to a decrease in current pricing and general insecurity as we lead into the non-peak season. Most operators had already forecast a flat or reduced drilling plan, but with continued volatility and price uncertainty, there’s not a lot of eagerness to drill at current depressed pricing levels. 

The other theme was the ability to reduce drill/frac days, as technology and processes have improved, and a primary focus is on efficient and cost-effective drilling and completion schedules.

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