Gulfport Energy is a major driller in the Utica Shale. In a first quarter 2014 update released earlier this week, we learn that Gulfport has added more acreage to their Utica portfolio–they now stand at 180,000 acres of leased land. Although several other drillers own more acreage, Gulfport has drilled the second highest number of Utica wells to date. They currently are operating seven drilling rigs in the Utica Shale. Gulfport’s brand new CEO, Michael Moore, makes the comment that, “a more measured, methodical approach to the development program in the Utica was needed.” We’re not exactly sure what that means, but Moore intends it to mean they’ll get more gas and liquids from the Utica wells their drilling.
Below are a few brief sections from the 1Q14 update. We also found and posted Gulfport’s PowerPoint used during their recent analyst call. There’s an extensive section on their Utica operations with lots of maps and charts and good information. Among the gems we discovered is that in 2013 Gulfport and Rice Energy formed a joint venture, combining their acreage in four townships in Belmont County, OH to drill in the Utica together in that area…
NOTE: MDN originally said the Gulfport/Rice jv is for Guernsey County, OH. We were mistaken. It is in Belmont County, OH. Our apologies!
