Data, Stats, News & Info
Denver-Julesburg/DJ Basin Platform Data, History & State
This guide provides information about the Denver-Julesburg Basin Platform, oil and gas data, history, top operators, and other facts.
Overview
Denver-Julesburg Basin Oil and Gas
The Denver-Julesburg Basin (DJ Basin), often referred to as the DJ Basin or the Niobrara DJ Basin, is an important unconventional source rock play.
After the introduction of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies, the DJ Basin became one of the fastest-drilling major oil plays. Today, it’s the frontlines of consolidation, with most of the production operated by Oxy, Chevron, and Civitas.
Industry Consolidation: DJ Basin Takes the Lead
Consolidation has been a big theme since the pandemic, with the DJ Basin, home to the Niobrara play, now dominated by just three operators streamlining production and restructuring the competitive landscape.
What is the Niobrara DJ Basin?
The DJ Basin is a vast geological formation located in the western United States, stretching across primarily northeastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming, and extending into parts of Nebraska and Kansas.
This extensive area, covering approximately 70,000 square miles (181,300 square kilometers), contains a wealth of geological features and abundant energy resources.
Horizontal Rig Count
The Denver-Julesburg Basin: History, Data and Facts
The oil production in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin began in the early 20th century when the region’s petroleum potential was first recognized.
When and how did it start?
Oil exploration and drilling activities in the DJ Basin started with traditional vertical drilling methods. These early endeavors aimed to tap into the basin’s conventional oil and gas reservoirs. However, a significant shift occurred in the 2010s when hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling technologies were introduced.
The combination of fracking and horizontal drilling allowed operators to reach deeper and access oil and natural gas resources that were previously economically impossible to extract.
Top counties [March 2013 - March 2023]
| Ranking | County | State | Horizontal Well Count - March 2023 | Daily Production (bo/d) - March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weld | Colorado | 9,893 | 345,292 |
| 2 | Adams (CO) | Colorado | 327 | 35,872 |
| 3 | Laramie | Wyoming | 513 | 25,727 |
| 4 | Broomfield | Colorado | 67 | 15,744 |
| 5 | Arapahoe | Colorado | 128 | 11,065 |
| 6 | Larimer | Colorado | 85 | 4,271 |
| 7 | Jackson (CO) | Colorado | 62 | 2,212 |
| 8 | Elbert (CO) | Colorado | 5 | 1,174 |
| 9 | Goshen | Wyoming | 19 | 142 |
| 10 | Morgan (CO) | Colorado | 5 | 15 |
| 11 | Albany (WY) | Wyoming | 2 | 0 |
| 12 | Boulder | Colorado | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | Cheyenne (CO) | Colorado | 2 | 0 |
| 14 | Lincoln (CO) | Colorado | 2 | 0 |
| 15 | Platte (WY) | Wyoming | 2 | 0 |
Top 20 oil operators [March 2013 - March 2023] - wells by current operator
| Ranking | Operator | State | Horizontal Well Count - March 2023 | Daily Production (bo/d) - March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevron | Colorado | 3,932 | 165,218 |
| 2 | Civitas Resources | Colorado | 2,779 | 104,625 |
| 3 | Occidental | Colorado & Wyoming | 2,549 | 59,788 |
| 4 | Verdad Resources | Colorado | 276 | 27,841 |
| 5 | Bayswater | Colorado | 278 | 21,517 |
| 6 | Bison Oil & Gas IV | Colorado & Wyoming | 141 | 12,236 |
| 7 | EOG | Wyoming | 277 | 8,302 |
| 8 | North Silo Resources | Wyoming | 40 | 6,183 |
| 9 | Samson Energy | Wyoming | 76 | 5,901 |
| 10 | Bison Oil & Gas III | Colorado | 8 | 5,022 |
| 11 | Providence | Colorado | 40 | 3,846 |
| 12 | Fundare Resources | Colorado | 314 | 3,339 |
| 13 | True Oil | Colorado & Wyoming | 19 | 2,905 |
| 14 | Cub Creek | Colorado | 67 | 2,579 |
| 15 | Fulcrum Energy | Colorado | 59 | 2,212 |
| 16 | Petro Operating | Colorado | 39 | 1,974 |
| 17 | Confluence Resources | Colorado | 24 | 1,500 |
| 18 | GMT Exploration | Colorado | 5 | 1,174 |
| 19 | Longs Peak Resources | Colorado & Wyoming | 11 | 918 |
| 20 | Magpie Operating | Colorado | 11 | 871 |
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The Denver-Julesburg Basin Gas Production
When and how did it start?
Natural gas production in the Denver-Julesburg Basin (DJ Basin) began around the same time as oil production, in the early 1900s. Much like the initial stages of oil exploration, early gas production in the DJ Basin involved traditional drilling methods, primarily cable-tool drilling.
The early 20th century marked the beginning of natural gas exploration and development in the DJ Basin. Natural gas, often found alongside oil reservoirs, was initially considered a byproduct and sometimes even flared or vented off during oil drilling operations.
Advancements in drilling technology, similar to those that revolutionized oil production, also played a role in the growth of natural gas production in the DJ Basin.
Gas production over the last 10 years
Top counties [March 2013 - March 2023]
| Ranking | County | State | Horizontal Well Count - March 2023 | Daily Production (Mcf/d) - March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weld | Colorado | 9,893 | 2.596,235 |
| 2 | Adams (CO) | Colorado | 327 | 129,877 |
| 3 | Broomfield | Colorado | 67 | 71,002 |
| 4 | Larimer | Colorado | 85 | 34,191 |
| 5 | Laramie | Wyoming | 513 | 27,875 |
| 6 | Arapahoe | Colorado | 128 | 21,078 |
| 7 | Jackson (CO) | Colorado | 62 | 3,010 |
| 8 | Elbert (CO) | Colorado | 5 | 1,975 |
| 9 | Goshen | Wyoming | 19 | 205 |
| 10 | Boulder | Colorado | 1 | 8 |
| 11 | Albany (WY) | Wyoming | 2 | 0 |
| 12 | Cheyenne (CO) | Colorado | 2 | 0 |
| 13 | Lincoln (CO) | Colorado | 2 | 0 |
| 14 | Morgan (CO) | Colorado | 5 | 0 |
| 15 | Platte (WY) | Wyoming | 2 | 0 |
Top 20 natural gas operators [March 2013 - March 2023] - wells by current operator
| Ranking | Operator | State | Horizontal Well Count - March 2023 | Daily Production (Mcf/d) - March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevron | Colorado | 3,932 | 1.366,121 |
| 2 | Occidental | Colorado & Wyoming | 2,549 | 663,949 |
| 3 | Civitas Resources | Colorado | 2,779 | 563,055 |
| 4 | Bayswater | Colorado | 278 | 67,768 |
| 5 | Verdad Resources | Colorado | 276 | 55,724 |
| 6 | Bison Oil & Gas IV | Colorado & Wyoming | 141 | 37,259 |
| 7 | Cub Creek | Colorado | 67 | 26,437 |
| 8 | Providence | Colorado | 40 | 19,912 |
| 9 | Fundare Resources | Colorado | 314 | 17,253 |
| 10 | EOG | Wyoming | 277 | 14,233 |
| 11 | Confluence Resources | Colorado | 24 | 13,595 |
| 12 | Petro Operating | Colorado | 39 | 10,892 |
| 13 | North Silo Resources | Wyoming | 40 | 5,108 |
| 14 | Samson Energy | Wyoming | 76 | 4,255 |
| 15 | Bison Oil & Gas III | Colorado | 8 | 4,020 |
| 16 | Fulcrum Energy | Colorado | 59 | 3,010 |
| 17 | Magpie Operating | Colorado | 11 | 2,967 |
| 18 | True Oil | Colorado & Wyoming | 19 | 1,967 |
| 19 | Enerplus | Colorado | 15 | 1,061 |
| 20 | Longs Peak Resources | Colorado & Wyoming | 11 | 869 |
Natural resources in the Denver-Julesburg Basin
The Denver-Julesburg Basin (DJ Basin) is not only rich in oil and natural gas but also holds significant natural resources. Within its geological formations lie substantial coal deposits and a range of valuable minerals such as clay, sand, gravel, and limestone.
The DJ Basin formations
the DJ Basin is home to several major geological formations, each with its own unique characteristics and significance. Here are some of the major formations found in the DJ Basin.
Major formations:
Pierre Shale
The Pierre Shale is a Cretaceous-age formation found in the DJ Basin. It is a dark-colored shale that represents a marine environment. This formation is known for its abundance of organic material, including fossilized marine life.
Niobrara
The Niobrara Formation in the DJ Basin is a major source of oil and gas. It is divided into multiple members, often called A, B, and C. The Niobrara is composed of chalky limestone and shale and is significant for its unconventional oil and gas resources.
Codell Sandstone Formation
The Codell Sandstone is part of the larger Carlile Shale and is known for its sandstone layers. In terms of hydrocarbon production, it is often targeted for its reservoir potential, particularly for oil.
Carlile Shale
The Carlile Shale is a Cretaceous formation that contains both shale and sandstone layers. It is an important formation in the DJ Basin, contributing to oil and gas production.
Greenhorn Limestone Formation
The Greenhorn Limestone is another Cretaceous-age formation present in the DJ Basin. It consists of limestone beds and is significant for its role in the overall stratigraphy of the region.
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