en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Dean Formation in the Midland Basin of West Texas is becoming a new hotspot for oil and gas exploration. The Dean is an oil-rich geological layer sandwiched between the shallower Spraberry Formation and the deeper Wolfcamp shale. Historically, this layer was developed through vertical drilling in the Ackerly-Dean Field in Dawson County. Today, horizontal drilling and multi-layer platform completion technologies have identified sweet spots in Glasscock, Martin, and Midland counties.

Energy data provider Rextag noted that recent operational results have demonstrated the potential of this layer. Diamondback Energy has achieved initial daily production rates exceeding 2,000 barrels in Martin and Midland counties, primarily from Dean wells. Ovintiv and SM Energy have also reported strong results in Martin County. However, ExxonMobil's tests in Martin County underperformed, while Occidental Petroleum's results in Glasscock County showed uneven productivity. Hart Energy reported this week that ExxonMobil's subsidiary XTO Energy achieved an initial daily production rate of 4,043 barrels in Martin County.

Rextag added that as operators seek additional economic reserves beyond the Spraberry and Wolfcamp, the Dean is becoming a more important stacked target in the Midland Basin. Martin County is currently the area with the highest concentration of Dean activity and results, with interest spreading south and east to Midland, Howard, and Glasscock counties, indicating that the layer is being tested beyond its early core area.