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Permalink Reply by 0i7okn54zwbdo on August 27, 2013 at 7:42am

Depends on a number of factors.  I've seen them as short as 1,500' and as long as 9,000'+.  

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Lindquist on August 27, 2013 at 9:46am

What kind of factors? You info was helpful, TY!

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Permalink Reply by 0i7okn54zwbdo on August 27, 2013 at 3:39pm

Formation that's being drilled, how much acreage is contiguously leased by the operator (thus limiting the size of the unit), efficiency of each company's completion technique, i.e. how much more production do they get out of each extra X amount of feet drilled, etc.  This is not a question with a straightforward answer as each well is a different set of circumstances.  For example Rex Energy has several wells highlighted in their latest presentation.  Both are Marcellus wells but one has a lateral length of 4,184' and the other has a length of 2,824'.  The longer lateral is producing 20% more gas but its length is ~33% longer, so it's a cost/benefit thing.  Shorter lateral=less frac stages which=less cost.  If that saved cost is offset by lower production then they will drill longer laterals.  If they can get less cost but still recover a higher % of gas on a per-foot basis they may drill shorter laterals.  It's as much an art as it is a science.  And accounting.  Lots and lots of accounting.

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