ORCAS STATE 5601 13-4 4B - Intelligence Brief

ENERPLUS RESOURCES USA CORPORATION · Williams County, ND · File #42847 · Generated 2026-04-16 01:48

📊 Signals (4)

Tier	Signal	Date	Service Impact
Tier 2	Permit approval granted with specific setback requirements (150' north/south, 500' east/west) within 2560-acre spacing unit, including wet shoe for frac out and ability to consolidate production equipment at central location. 📄 STIPULATIONS section, Page 1-2 Reveals operator's intent to drill in a constrained spacing unit with non-standard cementing (wet shoe) to enable efficient frac operations, differing from typical dry shoe setups.	2026-04-15	Completions / Frac
Tier 2	Wet shoe configuration detailed: liner over-displaced by 7 barrels, creating 400' uncemented annulus for toe initiation, avoiding expensive tubing-conveyed perforating. 📄 Wet Shoe section, Page 11-12 Non-standard cementing technique signals cost-saving intent in completion design, not typical in all Bakken horizontals.	Relative	Completions / Frac
Tier 3	Anticipated drilling commencement date specified, with waiver requested for drill-back notification as operator controls adjacent spacing unit.⏰ TIME-SENSITIVE 📄 Anticipated Starting Dates section, Page 8; Letter dated April 13, 2026 Early disclosure of start date and self-waiver indicates operator's control over adjacent acreage, reducing regulatory delays.	2025-06-07	Drilling Rigs
Tier 3	Operator commits to no diesel-based stimulation fluids, listing prohibited CAS numbers. 📄 DIESEL BASED STIMULATION FLUIDS/COMPOUNDS section, Page 9 Explicit avoidance of diesel indicates regulatory compliance focus and potential use of alternative frac fluids, differing from some operators' practices.	Unknown	Completions / Frac

Tier

Signal

Date

Service Impact

Tier 2

Permit approval granted with specific setback requirements (150' north/south, 500' east/west) within 2560-acre spacing unit, including wet shoe for frac out and ability to consolidate production equipment at central location.
📄 STIPULATIONS section, Page 1-2
Reveals operator's intent to drill in a constrained spacing unit with non-standard cementing (wet shoe) to enable efficient frac operations, differing from typical dry shoe setups.

2026-04-15

Completions / Frac

Tier 2

Wet shoe configuration detailed: liner over-displaced by 7 barrels, creating 400' uncemented annulus for toe initiation, avoiding expensive tubing-conveyed perforating.
📄 Wet Shoe section, Page 11-12
Non-standard cementing technique signals cost-saving intent in completion design, not typical in all Bakken horizontals.

Relative

Completions / Frac

Tier 3

Anticipated drilling commencement date specified, with waiver requested for drill-back notification as operator controls adjacent spacing unit.⏰ TIME-SENSITIVE
📄 Anticipated Starting Dates section, Page 8; Letter dated April 13, 2026
Early disclosure of start date and self-waiver indicates operator's control over adjacent acreage, reducing regulatory delays.

2025-06-07

Drilling Rigs

Tier 3

Operator commits to no diesel-based stimulation fluids, listing prohibited CAS numbers.
📄 DIESEL BASED STIMULATION FLUIDS/COMPOUNDS section, Page 9
Explicit avoidance of diesel indicates regulatory compliance focus and potential use of alternative frac fluids, differing from some operators' practices.

Unknown

Completions / Frac

💡 Operator Intent

To execute horizontal drilling in Bakken with precise trajectory control to meet setback requirements and avoid collisions, using wet shoe for cost-effective completions.

Detailed wellbore diagrams, anti-collision statements, and wet shoe configuration explicitly described in the permit.

To consolidate production equipment at a central location, as permitted by NDIC authority.

Stipulation allowing consolidation and assertion that production facility is not on the same pad as the well.

To comply strictly with environmental and regulatory standards, including no diesel in stim fluids and use of licensed disposal facilities.

Explicit commitment to no diesel-based compounds and listing of pre-selected licensed disposal vendors.

🔧 Service Operator Relevance

Drilling and completion services (rig mobilization, cementing, perforating)

Anticipated drilling start June 7, 2025, creates immediate opportunity for rig and crew availability; wet shoe design signals need for specialized liner cementing expertise.

Waste management and disposal

Pre-selected licensed facilities indicate readiness for cuttings disposal upon spud; proximity to Williston suggests short-haul logistics preferred.

Regulatory and surveying services

Recent survey dated March 17, 2026, and approval April 15, 2026, imply ongoing need for updates; contact with NDIC Inspector signals pre-construction coordination window.

🛢️ ORCAS STATE 5601 13-4 4B

📊 Signals (4)

💡 Operator Intent

🔧 Service Operator Relevance