Empire Petroleum Hits 21,006-Foot Well in Western Haynesville, Setting Microcap Record
Event summary
- Empire Petroleum successfully re-entered and deepened the Wakefield-Harrison GU B #1 well in Texas to 21,006 feet, setting a microcap record for depth.
- The project cost $4.4 million, significantly lower than the $30–45 million spent by competitors on new ultra-deep wells.
- Hydrocarbon shows, including gas and liquids, were recorded across the logged interval, with C1 and C4-plus identified.
- The well provides modern log and core data for 11,000 feet of previously untested section, supporting future development planning.
- Empire owns midstream infrastructure, including 49 miles of pipe and 9.5 million cubic feet per day of new compression.
The big picture
Empire Petroleum’s success in re-entering and deepening a legacy well at a fraction of the cost of new ultra-deep wells highlights a strategic anomaly in the Western Haynesville play. While larger operators continue to invest heavily in new drilling, Empire’s approach demonstrates how cost-efficient re-entry projects can provide competitive insights and potential upside in an emerging deep-gas frontier. The company’s ownership of midstream infrastructure further strengthens its position as it advances development in stacked reservoirs.
What we're watching
- Execution Risk
- Whether Empire can sustain this cost-efficient approach while scaling deeper development across its acreage.
- Competitive Dynamics
- How Empire’s microcap status will influence its ability to compete with larger operators in the Western Haynesville.
- Technical Validation
- The pace at which Empire can convert logged data into producible reserves and commercial flow rates.