This project highlights a phased Permian development model where licensing, pad construction, and facility deployment are aligned ahead of drilling. The result is a structured multi-pad program transitioning from pilot to full-scale development.
Continental Resources is transitioning from a completed pilot pad to a fully permitted, multi-pad Wolfcamp development in Winkler County, with infrastructure already approved ahead of drilling. With 10 wells not yet drilled and facilities in place, the project is entering a near-term execution phase, signaling an active window for development and vendor engagement.
Pad-Level Development Structure
| Pad | Wells | Status | Contractor | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pad 0 | 3 | Drilled (Jan 2024) | Scan Vision | Pilot Development |
| Pad 1 | 5 | Not Drilled | — | Expansion Phase |
| Pad 2 | 5 | Not Drilled | — | Full Development |
Drilling Cadence by Pad
| Pad | First Activity | Last Activity | Span (Days) | Avg Days Between Wells | Not Drilled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pad 0 | Jan 18, 2024 | Jan 19, 2024 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Pad 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 |
| Pad 2 | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Overall Project Cadence
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Wells | 13 |
| First Activity | Jan 18, 2024 |
| Last Activity | Jan 19, 2024 |
| Total Duration | 1 day |
| Not Yet Drilled | 10 |
Full Development Cadence (License → Activity → Facility)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| First License Date | Dec 11, 2023 |
| Latest License Date | Apr 14, 2026 |
| Air Permit Date | Apr 21, 2026 |
| License → Facility Lag | ~7 days |
| Activity → Facility | Pre-drill alignment |
Key Cadence Insight
- Pad 0 → completed in a tight 1-day drilling window
- Pads 1 & 2 → fully permitted but not yet drilled
- Facility permit → approved same day (0-day cycle)
👉 Interpretation:
- No delay between regulatory steps
- Infrastructure is staged before drilling begins
- Operator is preparing for next drilling phase
Surface Persona: What the Location Tells Us
Geography
- County: Winkler County, TX
- Play: Permian Basin – Delaware (Wolfcamp / Phantom Field)
Land Pattern
- Single-section development
- Block: 21
- Abstract: U81
- Section: 41
Surface Strategy
- Multi-pad development within same section
- Sequential lease progression (A–M)
- Centralized facility (CTB)
Surface Persona
A single-section, high-density Permian development where Continental is executing a phased multi-pad drilling strategy supported by centralized infrastructure and sequential lease development.
Sub-Surface Persona: What the Reservoir Tells Us
Formation
- Phantom Field (Wolfcamp)
Well Design
- 100% horizontal wells
- Oil & gas production focus
Depth Profile
| Pad | Min | Max | Avg | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pad 0 | 11,500 | 12,200 | 11,833 | 700 ft |
| Pad 1 | 11,550 | 12,154 | 11,798 | 604 ft |
| Pad 2 | 11,550 | 12,154 | 11,855 | 604 ft |
Sub-Surface Insight
- Tight depth ranges across all pads
- Identical well design and landing zone
- No variation between pads
Sub-Surface Persona
A standardized horizontal Wolfcamp drilling program targeting a consistent landing zone with repeatable well design and minimal geological variability.
Are They Using Co-Development?
From the Data:
- Same section
- Same formation (Wolfcamp)
- Tight depth range
- Identical well profiles
👉 Conclusion: NO co-development
This is:
- Single-zone targeting
- Maximum repeatability
- Efficiency-driven development
Facility Signal: Transition to Next Phase
| Event | Date | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Latest License | Apr 14, 2026 | — |
| Air Permit Approved | Apr 21, 2026 | ~7 days |
Facility Insight
- Facility Type: Central Tank Battery (CTB)
- Permit Type: Notification (instant approval)
- Timing: Before drilling starts
Interpretation
- Facilities are pre-engineered and standardized
- Infrastructure is staged ahead of drilling
- No regulatory delays
End-to-End Development Model
Phase 1: Pilot Development
- Small pad (3 wells)
- Tight execution window (1 day)
- Contractor established
Phase 2: Permit Buildout
- 10 additional wells permitted
- Sequential lease expansion
- Multi-pad planning completed
Phase 3: Facility Alignment
- Air permit approved instantly
- Infrastructure ready before drilling
Phase 4 (Next Expected Step)
- Drilling mobilization on Pads 1 & 2
What This Project Shows
What the Data Signals
- Phased development (pilot → scale)
- Multi-pad, single-section strategy
- Standardized well design
- Pre-aligned infrastructure
Key Insight
Continental is operating a pre-staged development model:
- Pilot executed → validated design
- Inventory built → permits secured
- Facilities approved → ready for deployment
- Drilling → imminent
Final Takeaway
This project reflects a modern Permian development approach, but with a key distinction from fully synchronized models:
- NOT continuous drilling yet
- Instead → staged execution with pre-built inventory
Development Profile
- Pilot-first strategy
- High-density single-section development
- Standardized Wolfcamp drilling
- Infrastructure aligned ahead of execution
- 10 wells in near-term drilling queue
Commercial Insight (Most Important)
👉 This project is currently in:
“Pre-Drill Execution Window”
- Permits → COMPLETE
- Facilities → READY
- Drilling → NOT STARTED
What This Means
This is the highest-value sales timing window:
- Vendors being selected
- Budgets already allocated
- Execution about to begin
Bottom Line
Continental is preparing to transition from pilot validation to full-scale pad development in Winkler County.
👉 The next phase is not speculative — it is imminent execution.
