Complex & First-of-Kind Well Programs

Hewitt Energy Strategies is frequently engaged when execution risk is elevated, timelines are compressed, geology is uncertain, or internal operational leadership is absent. These programs demand disciplined control, structured decision-making, and capital-focused oversight.

The following examples reflect representative projects executed under complex or high-visibility conditions within the Appalachian Basin.

HES was engaged by an operator entering a new Appalachian position with no prior drilling history in the area. Operational structure, safety systems, vendor coordination, and cost coding frameworks were established from inception.

The program required drilling through vertically dipping beds and intersecting faults exceeding 200 feet of displacement, while operating within a narrow mud weight window of approximately 0.5 ppg. Exceeding the upper limit resulted in fluid losses. Dropping below the threshold risked formation instability.

Despite these constraints, HES managed the program from drilling through turn-in-line with disciplined execution and integrated technology.

Outcomes:

• Drilling costs reduced by more than 50 percent relative to nearby operator benchmarks
• 100 percent water reuse during completions
• Completions costs reduced by approximately 50 percent
• Safe execution across a technically constrained environment

The project demonstrated controlled execution in a geologically complex setting while preserving capital performance.

HES was engaged two weeks prior to rig mobilization after an operator’s drilling manager departed unexpectedly. The program required immediate leadership stabilization and vendor alignment without delaying schedule.

HES assumed full drilling oversight responsibilities under compressed timelines.

Outcomes:

• Lowest drilling cost in company history
• Fastest drilling performance achieved to date
• Highest in-zone lateral percentage recorded within the operator’s portfolio
• No internal drilling overhead required, as HES oversight was integrated within well costs

The project demonstrated the ability to assume executive operational control under leadership transition while improving performance metrics and capital efficiency.

HES leadership directed field execution within a federally coordinated unconventional drilling program involving the U.S. Department of Energy, West Virginia University, and a regional operator.

The initiative required disciplined operational execution under public transparency, including:

• Installation of advanced fiber optic monitoring systems
• Completion of publicly accessible open well bores
• Full disclosure of emissions data, logs, and monitoring results
• Coordination with state and federal site visitors

The program integrated drilling execution with scientific observation and data acquisition under high-visibility conditions.

HES was engaged immediately prior to mobilization after a drilling engineer departure during kickoff of a deep vertical carbon sequestration test well.

The project involved drilling in an area with no prior well control and intersecting a major thrust fault with approximately 2,000 feet of displacement.

Three objectives were established:

• Reach planned total depth
• Maintain a zero-incident safety record
• Deliver complete geological data acquisition

Outcomes:

• Successfully reached total depth
• Zero personnel incidents
• Full logging program completed
• Over 300 feet of core recovered with 101 percent recovery

For approximately six months, the well represented the deepest carbon sequestration well drilled globally before that record was surpassed.

The project was conducted under high corporate and landowner visibility, requiring steady operational control during leadership transition.

HES was engaged to manage a drilled-but-uncompleted program within an Upper Devonian field that had been largely idle for over a decade. The water infrastructure was incomplete, original builders were no longer active, and documentation was limited.

The wells were tightly spaced Upper Devonian laterals positioned above active Marcellus development, creating stacked formation interaction risk and complex frac design requirements.

HES assumed full completions oversight and water system recovery.

Execution required:

• Reconstruction and commissioning of undocumented water infrastructure
• Stabilization of pump and stage design in stacked development conditions
• Rapid frac model recalibration based on real-time performance

Outcomes:

• Full restoration of legacy water system
• Stabilized completions execution in stacked unconventional environment
• Sustained pumping efficiency reaching 17 stages per day
• Safe and controlled program delivery

The project demonstrated disciplined unconventional engineering oversight and legacy asset recovery capability.

Following major unconventional and sequestration projects, HES provided advisory oversight for an ultra-deep geothermal test well in collaboration with academic and industry partners.

The project required applying Appalachian unconventional drilling discipline to geothermal objectives, integrating subsurface risk mitigation and long-term well integrity considerations.

Complex projects require more than supervision. They require control, structural thinking, and capital discipline.

Hewitt Energy Strategies is engaged when execution must be safe, predictable, and aligned with full-program ROI under challenging geological, operational, or organizational conditions.