Zephyr Energy has significantly expanded its presence in Utah’s Paradox Basin by acquiring approximately 27,000 acres of additional leases, increasing its operated position to around 70,000 gross acres, the majority held with a 100% working interest.
The newly acquired acreage is largely contiguous with the company’s White Sands Unit (WSU), enhancing future drilling opportunities and allowing for potential integration with existing infrastructure. Approximately 24,000 acres were secured through a competitive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lease sale, while the remaining acreage was acquired through negotiations with the Utah Trust Lands Administration.
The expansion is expected to strengthen the commercial potential of Zephyr’s Paradox project as the company advances farm-out discussions and evaluates future development. In addition to oil and natural gas prospects, the newly acquired acreage also offers potential helium exploration opportunities beneath the Paradox Formation.
Separately, Zephyr completed the sale of non-core acreage in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, generating approximately $2.2 million in proceeds, allowing the company to further focus capital on its core Paradox Basin assets.
Utah All Wells Drilled YTD Summary
Dataset Overview
- Total wells drilled (records): 129
- Unique operators: 12
Wells Drilled by Operator (Account Name)
| Operator | Wells Drilled |
|---|---|
| Koda Resources | 30 |
| UINTA WAX OPERATING, LLC | 25 |
| FourPoint Energy LLC | 22 |
| SM Energy Companyn (Civitas) | 17 |
| Crescent Energy Inc (Vital) | 14 |
| Scout Energy Management LLC | 8 |
| FERVO | 5 |
| FINLEY OPERATIONS, INC. | 4 |
| STAR OIL OPERATING COMPANY, LLC | 1 |
| Finley Resources Inc. | 1 |
| California Resources Corporation | 1 |
| BLACKSTONE MINERALS NV, LLC | 1 |
Wells Drilled by Play
(Grouped using County)
Play Wells Drilled Uinta Basin (Duchesne, Uintah) 122 Other Utah (Beaver, Grand) 6 Paradox Basin (Emery) 1
Wells Drilled by County
| County | Wells Drilled |
|---|---|
| Duchesne | 66 |
| Uintah | 56 |
| Beaver | 5 |
| Grand | 1 |
| Emery | 1 |
Top Contractors & Rigs
| Contractor & Rig | Wells Drilled |
|---|---|
| Cyclone 41 | 16 |
| Cyclone 34 | 14 |
| Patterson 811 | 14 |
| Cyclone 44 | 13 |
| Patterson 272 | 10 |
| Patterson 593 | 10 |
| Patterson 275 | 8 |
| Patterson 295 | 8 |
| Ensign T56 | 7 |
| Capstar 316 | 6 |
Executive Summary
Utah drilling activity year-to-date is overwhelmingly concentrated in the Uinta Basin, which accounts for 122 of 129 wells drilled (94.6%), with Duchesne and Uintah counties driving nearly all development. Koda Resources, UINTA WAX OPERATING, FourPoint Energy, SM Energy (Civitas), and Crescent Energy are the state’s most active operators, while Cyclone and Patterson drilling rigs dominate field activity, reflecting a highly concentrated and active drilling market in northeastern Utah.
Author: phinds