Subsurface Planning for Field Development Decisions

This service suits operators evaluating a new acquisition who need to understand what the asset can support, development teams deciding how aggressively to grow existing inventory, and leadership or investors who need a technically grounded development scenario before committing capital to the next phase of drilling.

Field development planning engagements are typically driven by one of three situations: a new acquisition where the buyer needs to understand what the asset can support, an existing program where the operator is deciding how aggressively to develop remaining inventory, or a capital allocation decision where leadership needs a technically grounded view of what the next phase of drilling should look like and why.

Operators, energy investors, and advisory firms all engage Bauer Subsurface Solutions for field development planning: any situation where a capital decision needs a technically grounded subsurface foundation.

Every field development planning engagement starts with what exists: current acreage, existing wells, production history, pipeline and facilities locations, and infrastructure constraints. Those constraints are as important as the geology. A development plan that ignores takeaway capacity or facility limitations is not a plan that can be executed. BSS integrates client-provided operational and commercial constraints into subsurface development scenarios rather than independently producing facilities, engineering, or economic work product.

From that foundation, the work typically includes:

• Spacing and stacking analysis: evaluating optimal well spacing and vertical stacking within the target formation based on reservoir character, offset performance, and development economics
• Well location optimization: identifying and ranking future drill locations based on integrated subsurface analysis, acreage position, and infrastructure access
• Targeting evaluation for existing wells: reviewing how current wells are landing and producing relative to the geological model, and identifying adjustments that would improve future performance
• Development scenario analysis: building out alternative development programs tied to specific production targets or capital budgets, so the operator can evaluate tradeoffs before committing
• Phased development recommendations: sequencing the drilling program to balance subsurface risk, capital efficiency, and infrastructure constraints

The final plan is tailored to what the client is trying to accomplish, whether that is hitting a specific production rate, staying within a capital budget, or building a defensible inventory for an investor or board presentation.

A completed field development planning engagement typically includes:

• Integrated development plan document with supporting maps and analysis
• Well location recommendations with ranking and supporting rationale
• Spacing and stacking conclusions with sensitivity analysis where appropriate
• Development scenario analysis tied to production or capital targets
• Presentation-ready materials suitable for internal review, board presentation, or investor reporting

Scope and deliverables are defined in the Statement of Work before work begins.

BSS provides subsurface analysis and geological development recommendations. Production forecasts, reserves certification, facilities design, detailed drilling engineering, and investment economics remain client or specialist inputs unless separately provided by qualified professionals.

Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk horizontal development programs in South Texas, Cotton Valley development geology in East Texas and the Ark-La-Tex, and unconventional development experience in the Montney and Duvernay in Western Canada. Experience spans first-time development planning for new entrants as well as optimization work on mature assets with existing well inventory.

Field development planning is billed hourly. Scope, estimated hours, and deliverables are defined upfront in a proposal and Statement of Work before work begins. Work is performed remotely from Houston.

All data received during the engagement is treated as confidential. NDA available on request.