Shell's Journey: From Basin Entry to Wolfcamp Development in the Delaware Basin by Melanie L. Crisp in Midland, Texas on 22 February, 2017.
Shell’s long interest in the Permian Basin began in 1924 and re-established with the re-entry in 2012 to the current Wolfcamp development. Identification of stacked targets, value mapping, and a strong balance sheet equipped Shell for the strategic acquisition of Chesapeake Energy’s Texas Delaware Basin assets. While the early Bone Spring play had limited extent and future running room, Shell believed in the upside case and future potential of the Wolfcamp. Today, the Basin is a key focus area for the E&P industry
and is proving to be resilient in the face of the lower commodity price environment. Development and operational excellence have increased efficiency, lowered costs, and
increased production resulting in greater capital returns.