Injection Well or Maintenance Yard?

An updated view of what I believe is a Patman Bros. rig located about 2 miles NE of Blum on Hwy 174. I am not sure if this is a rig maintenance yard or an injection well site for Sundance Resources. There is another rig lying on the ground about 100 yards behind this one.

A Sign of the Times

The landscape certainly has changed over the last several years. I can't ever remember seeing this type of tanker headed down FM 933 during the past 40 years. However, with the heightened drilling activity in southern Hill county, it is quickly becoming commonplace. These guys are EVERYWHERE!

Shine on 'Harvest Moon'

There's nothing quite like a harvest moon to grab your soul, and lift it higher. We are ALL showered with blessings from up above.
Peace my friends!

Snow in Early October?

No....Picture of huge cotton harvest in Central Texas on our way home from Galveston last week. If you look close you can see an oil rig and gas well tanks in the distance.
Texas truly is 'King Cotton' country. Click on the text above photo for link to more info.

Coastal Pipelines

Snapped this picture at Jamaica Beach on Galveston Island last week.
Couldn't get away from reminders of what was happening much closer to home with the Barnett Shale.

'Camels in the Desert' - Awesome Photo

This picture (courtesy of National Geographic Magazine) was recently sent to me in an email. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Barnett Shale, but I found it fascinating! Look closely at the photo. This is a picture taken directly above these camels in the desert at sunset.
It is considered one of the best pictures of the year.
Look closely... the camels are the little white lines in the picture.
The black you see are just the shadows!! Click the title above the photo for a link to National Geographic ENJOY!

Hill Co. Sun Sets on 'Sideshow Bob'

What a magnificant view. Sundown provides an awesome backdrop for Quicksilver's latest drill in Northern Hill county. The title above this photo doubles as a link to Quicksilver Resource's website.

Patterson UTI - Safety First 'ALWAYS'

Patterson - UTI's drill on Quicksilver's 'SIDESHOW BOB' boldly projects the theme of ALL drill's in progress....Safety is PARAMOUNT!

Patman Bros. Equipment & Maintenance Yard - Sundance Resources

There are no signs identifying the owner of this equipment -maintenance yard. However, several months ago the Patman Bros. (Sundance Resources) appeared to be working on a rig that was set up and then disappeared about as quickly as a weekend carnival. The same circle P near the base of the rig was there before.
There are 2 signs in the yard pointing directions to Rig #4 and Rig #6. This yard is about 2 miles from Blum, TX. about 3/4 of a mile NE of FM 933 on the southside of Hwy 174.

Quicksilver Rig - Looks ARE deceiving!

At a half mile away from the action, Patterson's rig on Quicksilver's 'SIDESHOW BOB' lease appears small. As you can see in the photo immediately below this one, it's NOT! This rig has just gone up in the last week and the workers are pushing pipe hard and fast. Quicksilver's presence continues to be felt in Hill county.

Quicksilver's 'SIDESHOW BOB'

Thanks to nativehill on the NARO/TX forum for setting me straight on the correct name of this lease. The rig is just north of Hwy 174, approximately 2.5 miles north of Blum. From my observations of the location and it's close proximity to the Nolan River, I originally posted that this was J-W Operating's 'Nolan River' lease.
I asked a surveyor on the ground, and he could not verify the name of the lease. Very strange!

Where there's Smoke....

Fire Departments from several small towns joined forces to contain any remaining 'hot spots' of a recent grass fire on our neighbor's property immediately north of ours. I grabbed my camera and took this shot as the fire came within 50 yards of our property line.
Just glad no one was hurt.
A relaxing Sunday afternoon turned into a blaze that consumed about 25 acres of blue stem. Neighbor was burning trash and strong winds carried embers up, up and away, spreading quickly across his property.

Fire at Devon rig in Parker Co.

Drilling site fire destroys 4 trucks
By BILL MILLER and MATT FRAZIER
Star-Telegram Staff Writers
(Star-Telegram / Ralph Lauer)
A Schlumberger Well Services employee stands on top a fracturing pump as smoke and steam rise from adjacent equipment as firefighters spray it with water after Tuesday's fire. Schlumberger is contracted to do the fracturing of the Devon Gas well in the 7600 block of Farm Road 730 at Calhoun Bend west of Azle. The fire did an estimated $4.5 million in damage to the equipment but no one was injured.
AZLE -- Flames as high as 40 feet belched from a fire that consumed four large well-service trucks Tuesday at a drilling site in northeast Parker County, firefighters said.
The blaze near Farm Road 730 and Calhoun Bend Road, about five miles southwest of Azle, was caused by an equipment malfunction, and the well itself was not involved, said Ramona Nye, a spokeswoman for the Texas Railroad Commission in Austin.
No one was hurt, but four trucks were destroyed by the massive fire, said Murl Trainham, a firefighter with the Silver Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
Nye said an inspector for the commission was at the site. The fire, she added, was reportedly caused by a ruptured oil line on a ``frac” pump.
``It sprayed hot oil, and three adjacent frac pumps caught fire,” Nye said, adding that the pumps are typically mounted on trucks.
Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said the blaze was reported at about 8:30 a.m. Firefighters from the Silver Creek, Aledo, Azle and La Junta fire departments responded.
The blaze was contained within about 30 minutes, but it took at least another hour to completely put it out, firefighters said.
Heavy smoke was billowing in the area, according to reports. The site is about a quarter mile from Silver Creek Elementary School, but it was not evacuated or locked down.
The well was being operated by Devon Energy, which is based in Oklahoma City, Nye said. The trucks were owned by Schlumberger, an oil field service company in Sugar Land, said Trent Lee, an operations manager for the company who was at the site. He said his company was contracted to perform hydraulic fracturing operations at the site.
Hydraulic fracturing has been done on virtually all of the 4,200 wells drill in the Barnett Shale in the last decade. It involves a high pressure injection of water into a newly drilled wellbore before gas production begins. The water penetrates through perforations in the well’s casing and inflicts tiny hairline cracks in the otherwise impermeable shale rock, allowing the natural gas to release.
Fracturing normally takes from eight hours to two or three days, depending on the complexity of the project.
Devon Energy is the largest gas producer in the Barnett Shale, having produced more than 1.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas since it bought the pioneering Barnett Shale operations from the former Mitchell Energy of Houston in 2001. Devon has drill about 2,000 wells in the Barnett Shale since 2001.
The Barnett Shale is Texas’ largest natural gas field. In 2005 the field produced more than 460 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and production this year is running about 25 percent ahead of last year. Among land-based U.S. natural gas fields, only the San Juan Basin in northern New Mexico is larger than the Barnett Shale.
New York-based Schlumberger is one of the larger oilfield services companies in the world, employing 66,000 people in 80 countries. Services companies like Schlumberger and its rival, Halliburton, are employed by operators like Devon to do technical work on wells, including fracturing and engineering work.
Representatives of Schlumberger and Devon said they are required to file reports about the fire to the Railroad Commission.
Lee and Alesha Leemaster, a spokeswoman for Devon, both said the fire would not slow down their production in the field.

Musical Instruments at 'Abbott's Grove'

Completed in 2003, these instuments 'reside' at the old city park or the renovated 'Abbott's Grove' in Hillsboro. These instruments are quite large, and are some type of xylophones which are played with wooden, plastic or rubber mallets. Click on the link above the photo for other Hill Co. Historical markers.

Hill County Tour - Courthouse, Park, Historical Cemetery

Abbott's Grove - The old Hillsboro Park has a new look. I had not been there in two or three years. WOW!
Really looks nice. I remember playing there as a youngster, and my dad also played there as a young boy.
GREAT improvements! I was really impressed.

And what can you say about the old/new Hill County Courthouse? It's absolutely the most magnificant structure I have ever seen. Just so stately and majestic! Thank you Willie Nelson for your help in raising the donations that rebuilt this landmark after the terrible fire on January 1, 1993. See link above photos for more info!

The Sesquicentennial Musical Park



The Old Hillsboro Cemetery was made a 'Texas Historical' cemetery back in 2002. I have several distant relatives who are resting there. At least, for the moment!

Can't a fellow get some sleep?

The 'ghostly' eyes of a lone steer pierce through the dark shadows as dusk settles on a Hill County back road.

Nightfall in Hill County, TX

Nightfall off of HCR 2124 silouettes an open field at the end of another beautiful day. The cool, crisp smell of a fast approaching Autumn fills the air.

Greywolf Drilling Company - Johnson Co.

Like I said, not sure who the operator is on this lease, but it is being drilled by Greywolf Drilling Company. The lease is in Burleson, TX. right off Hwy 174, almost directly behind the new Exxon 'Tiger Farms Market.
Safety First - Has to be the motto on any well, anywhere.

Mind keeping it down out there!

Rig overlooking Prairie Springs Cemetery in Burleson, TX.
What an unusual backdrop......
Not sure who the operator is on this one, but the Barnett takes no prisoners these days.
Old Prairie Springs Historical Cemetery, Established in 1857.

Growing Infrastructure in Hill County

Gathering lines being layed on the north side of Hwy 174 just east of the Nolan River. This was either on, or very near the Segar's property.
'King' Cotton harvest along FM 933 near Aquilla.

Sights of McLennan County, TX

Off the beaten path, the country back roads reveal many different sights. This old country store/gas station was just one of many.
The Old Railroad Rd. bridge was one of my favorites. One can almost hear the faint whistle of a 'phantom locomotive' in the distance while stopped on this one-lane bridge.
You take the high road, I'll take the low. Just keep traveling in either direction long enough and you'll eventually end up back where you started.
Tried to snap this picture while driving. Not good, if you want all the details. Apparently this town has had more than one winning season in years past.
Of course what is West without the 'Czech Stop'. It might almost be worth the trip to drive down this far just for gas, and a big box of kolaches.

Nice turnout for Seminar in West

Thursday night's Barnett Shale update seminar at the West Community Center was a standing room only gathering. This picture represents about a third of those in attendance. Keith Milberger, president of Proven Concepts, Inc. addressed the crowd with an in depth presentation, followed by a lengthy question and answer period.
Very informative.

Detailed map to tonight's Seminar in West

Map provided by www.mapquest.com
A more detailed map of the location for tonight's Hill-McLennan county Barnett Shale seminar. Use this one if you need glasses like me.

Hill and McLennan Co. Seminar 9/7/06

There will be a Barnett Shale seminar Thursday, September 7th, 2006 at the West Community Center from 6-9:30 PM 205 West Tokio Road West, Texas 76991. Free Admission to the Public Pat Bullard, President of NARO-TX will be one of the featured speakers. For more information, please email Susie Lourcey at wmlfw@aol.com.
Map provided by http://www.mapquest.com/

Drought Over? Don't bet on it!

A very hot, humid day in Whitney finally gave way to some light showers that produced a rainbow in the southern Hill county skies.
What a day of contrasts! An ominous sky filled with lightening and loud claps of thunder produced only a few light sprinkles. Maybe we are finally beginning to see a small taste of some much needed rain. However, I'm afraid that the drought we are stuck in is FAR from over. Pray for RAIN!

Felderhoff Drilling at Grace Lease

Have never heard of this drilling company, but if it's the same one that DTE is using to drill the Hook's lease units, then WATCH out!
Apparently these guys have been around for over 50 years, so they must be doing something right.

Amazing GRACE!

DTE Gas Resource's crew was pushing pipe tonight at the Grace lease in Whitney. Come on 'GRACIE', show us what you've got!

Can you say GRACE?

The 'Gracie' well is up in Hill county! I hope the success that DTE has had with the Hooks wells continues in Whitney with this major development. The Grace spud will give Whitney it's first well of the Barnett era. I am praying for a monster! It's about 3.5 miles NW of my property. (Photo courtesy of Kent Eubanks). Check the title link above the photo for RRC/TX info.

Forest Oil's Upcoming 3-D Seismic

Forest Oil has a 3-D seismic shoot scheduled for sometime in Sept-Oct. Aquilla Lake will roughly be the center of the action. The boundaries of the seismic (in white), are taken from a seismic survey map and are approximate, but not exact. If you own property within this area you may soon be contacted by the permit agent, if not already.

Blum, TX USA

They really roll out the 'red carpet' for you in Blum. No seriously, I love this small, quaint old Hill county town.
I believe that the city has let jackrabbit park his classic Chevy Impala ragtop right in the downtown area as kind of a 'welcome mat' gesture.

Click on the caption link above the photo for more about Blum, Tx.

Infinity's Taylor # 1-H Wellhead - Erath Co.

Denver driller's production up 60%
By DAN PILLER
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Infinity Energy Resources of Denver reported Thursday that it has drilled 16 wells in the Barnett Shale natural gas formation in Erath County, achieving initial production rates averaging 1.3 million cubic feet per day.
"We're into serious field development," Infinity President James Tuell told investors and analysts. Infinity reported that its Barnett Shale production increased by 60 percent in the past three months.
The company says that it has permits to drill 30 more wells in Erath County and has identified up to 200 well sites, with emphasis on the southern half of the county.
Infinity has been one of several companies testing the western boundary of the Barnett Shale, focused on Wise, Denton, Tarrant, Johnson and Parker counties. Until now, industry opinion has been split about the viability of the Barnett Shale around Stephenville where Infinity, EOG Resources of Houston and other operators have begun to sink wells.
Tuell acknowledged that the gas yields from Erath County wells and those that Infinity is beginning to drill in Comanche County won't be as prolific as those in Johnson and Tarrant counties but that the Erath and Comanche county wells are shallower and less expensive to drill.
He said Erath County wells could be brought in for as little as $1.7 million, including fracturing and tie-ins to pipelines, versus $3 million and up for the deeper wells in the so-called "core area" of the Barnett to the east.

Forest Oil increases Barnett holdings in Hill and Erath Counties to 20K Acres

Forest Oil getting ready to hit Hill and Erath counties HARD!
Forest Oil Announces Operatorship of the Katy Field and Acceleration of Barnett Shale Program
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 2006--Forest Oil Corporation (NYSE:FST) (Forest or the Company) today announced two transactions which will comprise additional building blocks of Forest's 2007 capital program beyond the "Big Three" properties. On August 1, 2006, Forest assumed operatorship of the Katy Field, located in Waller, Fort Bend and Harris Counties, Texas from Exxon Mobil and, separately, executed an exploration joint venture agreement with a third party increasing Forest's current gross acreage to 20,000 in the prolific Barnett Shale primarily in Hill and Erath Counties, Texas.
Katy Field (52% Working Interest)

Barnett Shale (48-100% Working Interest)
Forest has recently increased its gross acreage position to approximately 20,000 acres in the Barnett Shale play in North Texas through the execution of an exploration joint venture agreement with a third party for its acreage in Hill County which covers approximately 14,000 acres as well as ongoing leasing activity. The acreage is located primarily in Hill and Erath Counties with 3-D seismic over a portion of the acreage. The first horizontal well in Hill County was spud in July, 2006. After this initial well and further evaluation of the acreage, Forest anticipates developing an active drilling program in this area in 2007.

Drillers plan to increase Barnett rigs

By DAN PILLER
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Two major producers in the Barnett Shale natural gas field said Wednesday that they plan to expand operations in the field adjoining Fort Worth despite a slump in gas prices this year.
Devon Energy of Oklahoma City, already the largest producer in Texas and in the Barnett Shale, said it would add at least five more rigs to its current fleet of 25 drilling rigs in the Barnett Shale.
Devon Chairman Larry Nichols said the recent purchase of Chief Oil & Gas of Dallas will add 70 million cubic feet to Devon's current daily production of 640 million cubic feet. Devon has drilled more than 2,500 wells in the Barnett Shale and has expanded beyond its original base in Wise and Denton counties to drill heavily in Johnson County south of Fort Worth.
Operators have continued to lease and drill in the Barnett Shale this year despite a retreat in natural gas prices from highs of $12-$14 per thousand cubic feet late in 2005 to less than $6 per thousand cubic feet a month ago. The price has strengthened this week on the news of heavier demand from utilities during air-conditioning season, rising to close at $7.80 per thousand cubic feet in trading Wednesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Devon President John Richels said the company has seen "encouraging results" from its experiment of drilling wells as close together as 20 acres, as now allowed under new Texas Railroad Commission rules. Under the old rules, wells had to be at least 300 acres apart.
"We were getting 2.4 million cubic feet of initial production from the 20-acre wells," Richels said.
Devon on Wednesday announced a 32 percent increase in its second-quarter profit, to $859 million, or $1.92 per share. The company has 137 rigs drilling in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, the Caspian Sea, China and the Gulf of Mexico.
Another Barnett Shale driller, Quicksilver Resources of Fort Worth, plans to add six new rigs to the 10 already working in Hood, Parker, Somervell and Bosque counties. President Glenn Darden said Quicksilver will drill 100 wells in the Barnett Shale this year, 15 more than originally planned.
Darden said Quicksilver recently brought in a well in north central Hood County with initial production of 5 million cubic feet per day. He said two wells spaced at 55 acres apart in southern Hood County recently had combined initial production of 6 million cubic feet.
"We're seeing consistent performance in our wells," said Darden, whose company has 285,000 acres under lease south and west of Fort Worth and has also built a processing plant near Granbury served by a 120-mile pipeline gathering system.
Darden said the processing plant, which opened late in 2005, will be expanded in capacity from the current 75 million cubic feet per day to 200 million cubic feet per day.

No Slowdown on Barnett Shale

Natural gas prices have fallen more than 50 percent in the last six months.
But you wouldn't know it from watching the new "Flex 4" drilling rig that EnCana Oil & Gas is operating in the Barnett Shale on a picturesque rise on the Bonds Ranch overlooking Eagle Mountain Lake northwest of Fort Worth.
The Flex 4, built and leased by Helmerich & Payne of Tulsa, has its own tracks that allow it to move around on a drilling site without the expensive and time-consuming process of disassembly and truck shipment.
The Flex 4 also has a hydraulic-powered "V-boom" that lifts pipe into place, eliminating one of the more dangerous tasks performed by roughnecks.
The new rig also has a state-of-the-art communications system that better controls both the drill bit and the mud flows as the drilling proceeds more than 7,000 feet into the Barnett Shale below the North Texas prairie.

Gerik Trust - Drill Still in Progress 8/5

Although seemingly slow, there was still activity at the Gerik Lease south of Aquilla on 8/5. Maybe it takes longer to drill a vertical well, or in this case a 'data' well. The only 'worker' I saw was sitting in the shade of a large umbrella on the platform.

High Above Gerik Trust

Aerial view of the Gerik Trust lease just south of Aquilla. This was taken before Aspect Energy set their rig back in June. Picture courtesy of Google Earth.

Barnett Thickness County by County

Article from Republic Energy, quite lengthy but lots of interesting info on the Barnett Shale thickness in the Fort Worth Basin, karsting and faulting, the Ellenburger and Viola formations and more. Click on title link above this map for more.