Anadarko Decreasing Number of Marcellus Rigs by 40%

Yesterday Anadarko Petroleum announced its 2012 capital plan. Anadarko’s activities in the Marcellus get a brief mention. Anadarko’s lease holdings in the Marcellus are primarily in north-central Pennsylvania, the non-wet gas area. Therefore, they are scaling back drilling in the Marcellus for 2012.

From the Anadarko press release:

In the Marcellus Shale in north-central Pennsylvania, Anadarko has increased average well recoveries to approximately 8 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas per well, and has continued to improve efficiencies, resulting in a 30-percent reduction in drilling cycle times over 2010. Given the current market conditions for natural gas, the company expects the number of rigs (operated and non-operated) in the play to decrease from 21 to 13 over the course of the year.*

*Anadarko Petroleum (Mar 12, 2012) – Anadarko Announces 2012 Capital Program, Guidance and Highlights of Tomorrow’s Investor Conference