Abby CoppingerThe Arkoma-Woodford Basin in southeast Oklahoma — also known as the East STACK — is quickly becoming an area to watch for oil and natural gas producers. Since this time last year, the basin’s rig count has grown by 175 percent.
In September, the Arkoma Basin was ranked the fastest-growing oil and natural gas field in the U.S.
In September, the Arkoma Basin was ranked the fastest-growing oil and natural gas field in the U.S., and it was the most-leased area in October, which suggests production won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
The area is mostly comprised of unconventional formations, which are drilled vertically for about 5,000 to 6,000 feet and then horizontally for 5,000 to 10,000 feet. It was first tapped by horizontal drilling in 2004, when it was considered to be mainly a natural gas area. Since then, production has been about 50 percent natural gas and 50 percent oil with a combination of natural gas liquids.
Recent investments have led to a resurgence of drilling activity in the Arkoma Basin. As of 2016, there are 150 gas fields that have been identified with gas production estimated at 75,002,726 Mcf per year.
As industry production continues to pick up, the Arkoma Basin will almost certainly play a major role in bolstering Oklahoma’s overall energy production.
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