The Wattenberg Field represents PDC Energy’s largest asset with over 85% of its 2021 production and 90% of year-end 2021 proved reserves. Following the acquisition of SRC Energy, we have approximately 180,000 net acres in the core area making us one of the largest leaseholder, as well as producers, in the Core Wattenberg. We are actively developing this liquid-rich field through horizontal drilling in the Niobrara and Codell formations. As of year-end 2021, we estimated we had approximately 1,800 gross horizontal future locations in the Wattenberg Field with an average lateral length of approximately 9,700′.
Unique Geological Setting of Core Wattenberg Field
The Wattenberg Field is one of the top rate-of-return horizontal oil plays in the U.S. Onshore. We have successfully drilled the equivalent of 20-24 horizontal wells per 640-acre section, to more efficiently capture the large oil and gas resources in-place in the Niobrara and Codell formations, which contain over 300 feet of gross interval. The Core Wattenberg Field is a well-defined area north of Denver that owes its prolific productivity to its unique geologic setting. The Core overlies an area of crustal basement rock weakness, which is limited in geographic extent. This crustal weakness allowed unusually high heat flow from deeper mantle sources to “super-heat” the highly organic Niobrara source rocks, which in turn generated the significant oil and gas deposits now contained in the Niobrara and Codell formations. The crustal basement weakness extends south-westerly of Wattenberg beneath the Rocky Mountains, where the same high heat flow system has contributed to extensive mineral deposits. This southwest extension is commonly known as the Colorado Mineral Belt, because of the World Class deposits of gold, silver and molybdenum.
We continually pursue additional capital efficiencies designed to improve economic returns. These enhancements include tighter completion spacing and exclusive use of “plug-n-perf” completions and mono-bore drilling. The 2022 capital investment program is primarily focused on the Kersey and Summit areas, with some spuds and turn-in lines in our Plains area.