Could we see a pullback in the Marcellus active rig count next year?  Early indications seem to suggest that possibility as more than one operator is talking about modifications and/or reductions to their programs, Cabot plans a 5-rig Marcellus program next year, down from 7 rigs currently.  Range, one of the leading companies in the play, plans to reduce the number of wells drilled per pad, which could mean fewer rigs as well.

There is no slowdown for oil/liquids drilling, however. Look no further than the Permian Basin to get a sense of the huge migration from gas to liquids over the past year.  Currently, there are 374 active rigs drilling in the region, an 82% increase vs. 2009, according to the latest issue of The Land Rig Newsletter’s Biweekly Report.  Back in early July, the Permian had 327 working rigs. Throughout the 3Q, the count continued to rise, resulting in an average weekly count of 342 for the quarter. The Land Rig Newsletter team expects this trend to continue for the near future.

The Marcellus might need fewer rigs than previously thought. At Enercom in Denver last week, Cabot Oil & Gas indicated that drilling on synthetic muds should lead to higher drilling efficiencies.  Consequently, the company believes it can work through its Marcellus program with fewer rigs. Pilot tests are expected to get underway this year.

Among other takeaways from Enercom reported in The Unconventional Drilling Report, Atlas is planning a 3 well exploratory program to kick off the new Collingwood shale play this year.  The wells will be drilled in three western counties of Michigan.  A rig was secured for the 3-well program; it has to be brought in from another area. The company didn't say, but a rig from the Marcellus region wouldn't be a total surprise, given the operator.

Also evident at Enercom were signs that the Montana Bakken is clearly gaining attention.  Brigham Exploration is active in Richland County.  One interesting nugget:  It appears the rock is harder in western areas of the Bakken.