Seismic reflections: The emerging Niobrara shale play

More evidence has emerged concerning the prospectivity of the US Great Plains shale plays. The latest example concerns Anadarko’s announcement that it is confident that its Niobrara play in the Denver basin has a net resource potential of up to 1.5bnboe. In all probability the Niobrara play is emerging as the next major Great Plains shale play. The industry view that shale plays will boost US oil production by 1.5-2.0mmb/d by mid decade is looking increasingly plausible. US oil production could easily exceed the 1970 all-time high of 9.6mmb/d this decade.

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