Activity in the Fayetteville shale continues to heat up as the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission reports more completions and 21 new permits.

The AOGC reports that eight new completions were reported for the week that ended Sept. 5: Southwestern Energy Co., three; Chesapeake Energy Corp., four; and Storm Cat Energy Corp., one.

The commission reports that initial production rates were given on four of the completions. Southwestern continues to complete what the AOGC calls “best in class” Fayetteville wells, with two initial production rates of 4.8 million cubic feet and 3.9 million cubic feet per day. Chesapeake reported an IP from one well of 1.7 million cubic feet per day and Storm Cat Energy, one report with a production rate of 1.6 million cubic feet per day.

A breakdown of the counties shows: one completion in Conway County; two each in Van Buren and Faulkner counties; and three in White County.

The commission also reported 21 new permits were issued.

Southwestern led the pack with 12 new permits with two each in Van Buren and Conway counties; three in White County; one in Faulkner County; and four in Cleburne County. Chesapeake came in second with four new permits, all in White County. XTO Energy Inc. had three new permits in White County and Petrohawk Energy Corp. had two new permits, both in Van Buren County. JAS