Unfortunately, Montana doesn’t include their spud dates on their publicly available data:

http://www.bogc.dnrc.mt.gov/WebApps/DataMiner/Wells/WellDirHorzList.aspx

To find all the wells, use the parameters “API starts with 25”

Matt

Hi Cindy,
Unfortunately, we don’t have any geologists on our staff that can answer this question definitively.

I encourage you to use the search tool on our map. Type in “Stevensville, Montana” in the white box, and then hit enter (or click on the magnifying glass, if that doesn’t work). The map should zoom into that location. Stevensville is covered in a brown data layer, which indicates that it is within the boundaries of a shale basin, as identified by the US Energy Information Administration. Now, these boundaries should be thought of as approximate, so it’s possible that your real estate agent is telling you the truth. But it is also possible that you are hearing a partial truth: while I’m sure that glacial deposits are likely throughout the region on the surface, any oil and gas deposits would be much older than the most recent ice age.

It’s worth noting that not all areas in shale basins have recoverable oil or gas resources. Take a look at the national map as an example. The orange area are where there are wells, and the brown areas are the EIA shale basins. They do not entirely overlap, but you can see that there is a correlation.

I suggest contacting a local geologist that is not your real estate agent. Someone at the University of Montana geology department should be able to help you.

Good luck!
Matt

The areas in purple are major shale plays – areas where it is very likely that large-scale hydraulic fracturing operations are likely to produce oil or gas in viable quantities. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be activity in other areas at some point, as new resources are frequently identified, but it is safe to assume that it is less likely. Wherever you decide to buy land, you’ll want to check to make sure that you control the mineral rights.

Wells that are shut in are drilled and generally ready to produce, but are not currently in production or full production. One common reason is that they are waiting for the wellpad to be connected to a pipeline. In some cases, they are waiting for the price of the product to go up, so that the well is more profitable.

In terms of disposal wells, those typically contain the flow-back fluid from the well’s stimulation (fracking), as well as naturally occurring subsurface brines. Just because these brines are naturally occurring does not mean they are harmless. I’m not familiar with the chemistry of these brines in Montana, but in many places, there are known to be numerous volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), including some known carcinogens. Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM’s) are present in significant quantities in some formation brines.

That these substances are included in the fluid injected into disposal wells is not under debate. However, industry sources deny that the fluid can make its way to drinking aquifers, and many people feel that claim is either inaccurate or unproven.

Yes, dry wells are those that don’t produce any oil or gas.