Enverus said this week the number of three-mile laterals in oil and gas drilling has reached an all-time high. As of April 29 there were 343 laterals of at least three miles reported for 2021. And Enverus said that number is likely to grow because some completions for 2021 likely have not yet been reported. There were 206 completions with laterals of at least 15,000 feet in 2020, 165 in 2019, 97 in 2018 and 36 in 2017.
Only Marcellus and Midland Basin had at least 100 three-mile laterals, according to Enverus. Midland had 109 three-mile laterals by 12 operators, including Pioneer Natural Resources, Birch Operating and SM Energy with more than 20 each. Delaware Basin had 26, and Eagle Ford had 6.