Half of Well Productivity Gains May be Due to Core Acreage Drilling, Not Better Frac Designs

There’s little doubt those operating in the Bakken have gotten more efficient in the past few years. The low prices have forced operators to get costs under control and the end result is an oil play that’s more economically resilient. But what about the wells, are we getting better at getting more oil out of them? On that point, the data isn’t as clear, and one MIT study indicates we aren’t.