Talk of Oil Drilling at Chesapeake Energy Nothing But Gas

Chesapeake Energy’s (CHK-$23.50) near-term outlook calls for a shift in some production to oil and natural gas liquids, such as propane and butane. The number two natural gas producer will initially focus drilling activities on unconventional shale prospects, such as its holdings in the Granite Wash formations of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma.

In the various Granite Wash plays of the Anadarko Basin, Chesapeake is the largest leasehold owner with approximately 190,000 net acres and is also the most active driller and largest producer. Speaking at recent energy conferences, chairman Aubrey McClendon identified particularly prolific gas- and oil-rich areas — with reservoirs potentially loaded with upwards of 90 barrels per million cubic feet — that have become the two highest rate-of-return plays in the company.

What McClendon, crowned “Mr. Gas” in a 2008 Fortune article, forgot to mention, however, is that profitable retrieval of these oily reservoirs will require much higher natural gas prices.

Read More: Chesapeake Energys’ Move to Oil Needs Higher Gas Prices

Editor David J Phillips does not hold a financial interest in any stocks mentioned in this article. The 10Q Detective has a Full Disclosure Policy.