Pioneer Article on West Texas Shale

An interesting article was written yesterday regarding the West Texas shale.  Titled "Pioneer Bets on West Texas Shale Oil to Rival Bakken", this article speaks highly of the Wolfcamp Shale.  "Everybody is going to be making a beeline to the Wolfcamp," said Scott Sheffield, CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources.

The Bakken formation in North Dakota and Montana is well known but the Wolfcamp could be the next big U.S. play.  The Wolfcamp is potentially the thickest onshore U.S. oil shale play with some areas having over 1,000 feet of pay.  Pioneer, Devon, Apache, EOG, Chesapeake, Approach, Range and Concho are among those active in the Midland Basin.

Lynden Energy Corp., although small relative to the companies mentioned above, has a large position on the eastern shelf of the Midland Basin.  Their Mitchell Ranch project includes over 103,400 contiguous acres.  They have a 50% interest in 68,400 net acres and 1.25% royalty over 35,000 acres that were farmed out to Chesapeake Energy.  They have already had success with their Spade 17-1 well there and we believe it's only a matter of time before one of the majors comes knocking at their door.  Once the market realizes this, LVL's undervalued share price can only go up!

Lynden releases MD&A

Lynden released its MD&A for the six month period ending 12/31/11. It appears that Lynden Energy Corp. has made production increases over the last month or so.  Stated average production as of 12/31/11 was 471 boepd before royalties.  The company's production exceeded 500 boepd after royalties for several days in January and February meaning their before royalties share of actual daily production was around 650 boepd.  Production is finally catching up to Lynden's drilling activity as several wells that were completed are now being tied into sales.  We expect production to increase further as additional completed wells are tied in.

Industry activity seems to be heating up in the areas where Lynden is active.  Devon is active in the Wolfcamp west of Lynden's Mitchell Ranch and Apache is working on lands adjacent to the Wind Farms acreage.  As acquisition activity increases, Lynden should be in an excellent position to capitalize given their quality acreage.