Total U.S. DUC count stands at 7,945: EIA

Drilling activity significantly outpaced completions this in June. The EIA estimates that the number of drilled uncompleted (DUC) wells in the major shale basins has grown by 193. There are now about 7,945 DUCs in the country.

The increase in DUC count was driven by the Permian as usual, with operators drilling 164 more wells than they completed in June. The DUC inventory has become exceptionally large in the Permian, and almost 3,370 wells in the area are awaiting completion. The EIA began tracking DUC count in December 2013, when it estimates there were just under 4,200 DUCs in the major shale basins. At current rates, the Permian alone will have this many uncompleted wells before the end of the year.

Niobrara, Appalachia DUCs fall

Only one major basin has consistently seen DUC counts fall this year, the Niobrara. An estimated 147 wells were drilled in the basin in June, while 189 were completed, meaning the DUC count fell by 42. With only 431 DUCs left in the Niobrara, there are about ten months of uncompleted wells at current rates. The only other basin to see completions outpace drilling was the Appalachian, where DUC count dropped by five.

3,370 Wells Await Completion in the Permian

Source: EnerCom Analytics


Legal Notice