SCOOP/STACK Play
Oklahoma's Premier Unconventional Oil and Gas Resource
Location
Key Reservoir Properties
Late Mississippian to Late Devonian
Siliceous shale, chert, organic-rich mudstone (Woodford), carbonate (Meramec, Osage)
8,000 - 14,000 ft
600 ft
5-15%
42.0° API
4,000,000 acres
Executive Summary
The SCOOP/STACK play represents Oklahoma's most significant unconventional oil and gas resource, comprising two overlapping development areas in the Anadarko Basin: the STACK (Sooner Trend, Anadarko Basin, Canadian and Kingfisher Counties) and SCOOP (South Central Oklahoma Oil Province). Together, these plays target multiple stacked petroleum systems including the Woodford Shale, Meramec Formation, Osage Formation, and Sycamore Formation.
Development of the SCOOP/STACK began in earnest in 2012-2013 and rapidly accelerated, with the play becoming a major destination for capital investment through 2019. The multi-zone architecture allows for 4-8+ wells per section targeting different stratigraphic intervals from a single drilling pad.
Key highlights include:
- Multiple targets: Woodford, Meramec, Osage, and Sycamore formations
- Depth range: 8,000 to 14,000+ feet (varies by target and location)
- Thickness: 400-800 feet gross (combined prospective section)
- Oil gravity: 38-50° API (varies by depth and thermal maturity)
- EUR potential: 500,000-1,200,000 BOE/well in core areas
- Wells drilled: 8,000+ horizontal wells since 2012
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Historical Background
Early History and Discovery
The Anadarko Basin has been a prolific petroleum province since the early 1900s, with conventional production from numerous formations. The modern SCOOP/STACK unconventional play emerged from the convergence of two trends:
- Woodford Shale development: Beginning in 2004-2006, operators demonstrated that the organic-rich Woodford Shale could produce commercial quantities through horizontal drilling
- Mississippian Lime play: Development of the "Mississippi Lime" in northern Oklahoma showed potential for carbonate unconventional development
The SCOOP play was pioneered by Continental Resources beginning around 2012, focusing on the Woodford Shale in south-central Oklahoma. The STACK play emerged slightly later, with Newfield Exploration (now Ovintiv) and others recognizing the potential of the Meramec Formation in the central Anadarko Basin.
SCOOP/STACK Development Timeline
| 2004-2006 | Initial horizontal Woodford Shale wells drilled in Oklahoma |
| 2010-2011 | Mississippi Lime play develops in northern Oklahoma |
| 2012 | Continental Resources pioneers SCOOP play in south-central Oklahoma |
| 2013 | Newfield Exploration identifies Meramec potential in STACK area |
| 2014-2015 | STACK play emerges as premium target, rig count accelerates |
| 2015-2016 | Oil price collapse temporarily slows activity |
| 2017-2018 | Major M&A activity: Devon acquires Felix, Newfield merges with Encana |
| 2018 | SCOOP/STACK rig count peaks at 100+ rigs |
| 2019 | Peak production: ~600,000 bbl/d oil from play |
| 2020-2024 | Rationalized development continues with focus on core areas and capital discipline |
Development and Production History
The SCOOP/STACK play experienced rapid development between 2014 and 2019:
- Peak rig count: 100+ horizontal rigs (2018)
- Peak production: ~600,000 bbl/d oil equivalent
- Total horizontal wells: 8,000+ completed
- Current production (2024): ~400,000 bbl/d oil equivalent
- Primary operators: Continental Resources, Devon Energy, Marathon Oil, Ovintiv (formerly Newfield/Encana)
Historical Significance
The SCOOP/STACK play demonstrated the viability of multi-zone unconventional development in a single geographic area. The concept of "stacked pays" - drilling multiple horizontal wells from the same surface location but targeting different formations - became a key value driver. However, the play also illustrated the challenges of consistent geology, as formation quality varies significantly across the play, leading to wide variations in well performance.
Geological Characteristics
Stratigraphy and Multiple Targets
The SCOOP/STACK play targets multiple formations spanning the Mississippian and Devonian periods (approximately 320-380 million years ago). The multi-zone architecture is the play's defining characteristic:
Primary Targets:
- Meramec Formation (Mississippian): Siliceous mudstone and carbonate, 150-350 ft thick, primary STACK target
- Woodford Shale (Devonian): Organic-rich black shale (TOC 3-12%), 150-300 ft thick, primary SCOOP target
- Osage Formation (Mississippian): Chert and carbonate, 100-200 ft thick, secondary target in STACK
- Sycamore Formation (Mississippian): Limestone and shale, emerging target in core areas
SCOOP/STACK Reservoir Properties
Geographic Areas
STACK (Sooner Trend, Anadarko Basin, Canadian and Kingfisher Counties):
- Primary target: Meramec Formation
- Secondary targets: Osage, Woodford
- Core counties: Canadian, Kingfisher, Blaine
- Depth: 8,000-12,000 ft
- Higher liquids content, better economics historically
SCOOP (South Central Oklahoma Oil Province):
- Primary target: Woodford Shale
- Secondary targets: Sycamore, Springer
- Core counties: Grady, Stephens, Garvin, Carter
- Depth: 10,000-14,000+ ft
- Deeper, gassier, lower overall activity
Thermal Maturity Windows
Like other major shale plays, the SCOOP/STACK exhibits thermal maturity variation:
- Oil window (northwest): Highest-value production, lower GOR, core STACK
- Volatile oil/condensate window (central): Mixed production, moderate GOR
- Wet gas/dry gas window (deep SCOOP): Higher GOR, gas-dominated production
Drilling & Completion Economics
Estimated Well Costs (2024)
Modern Completion Design
SCOOP/STACK completions have evolved with longer laterals and optimized spacing:
Well Cost Structure (2024)
- Drilling costs (STACK): $2.5 - $4.0 million
- Drilling costs (SCOOP): $3.5 - $5.0 million (deeper)
- Completion costs: $3.5 - $5.5 million
- Facilities: $0.3 - $0.8 million
- Total well cost (STACK): $6.5 - $9.0 million
- Total well cost (SCOOP): $8.0 - $11.0 million
Production Economics by Area
| Area | Target | EUR (MBOE) | Breakeven |
|---|---|---|---|
| STACK Core (Canadian) | Meramec | 800-1,200 | $40-$50/bbl |
| STACK (Kingfisher) | Meramec | 600-900 | $45-$55/bbl |
| STACK | Osage | 500-800 | $48-$58/bbl |
| SCOOP Core (Grady) | Woodford | 600-1,000 | $45-$55/bbl |
| SCOOP Extended | Woodford | 400-700 | $50-$65/bbl |
Multi-Zone Development Economics
The value proposition of SCOOP/STACK relies heavily on stacked pay development:
- Wells per spacing unit (STACK core): 6-8 wells targeting Meramec + Osage + Woodford
- Wells per spacing unit (SCOOP core): 4-6 wells targeting Woodford + Sycamore
- Shared infrastructure: Pad drilling reduces per-well facilities costs
- Recovery per section: 3-6+ million BOE in core areas
Production Decline Analysis
The Shale Decline Reality
While industry headlines tout record production, the underlying data reveals a critical truth: shale wells experience dramatic production declines that require constant drilling just to maintain output. This creates a "treadmill" effect where massive capital expenditure is needed simply to prevent production collapse.
Industry Expert Analysis
"New wells drilled in 2023 may ultimately produce roughly half of what new wells from 2019 will ultimately produce. The industry is sacrificing future production to maximize short-term output."
— Art Berman, Petroleum Geologist (40+ years experience)The Lateral Length Paradox
Since 2014, the industry has nearly tripled average lateral lengths from 5,000 ft to 14,000+ ft. While this increases initial production rates, it also accelerates decline—effectively using "wider straws" to drain reservoirs faster.
Key Investment Considerations
Decline Risks
- Hyperbolic Decline: 65-75% production loss in year 1 (vs 5-6% for conventional)
- Child Well Problem: 85% of new wells produce less than expected
- Inventory Exhaustion: Tier 1 acreage running out within 3-5 years
- Treadmill Economics: Continuous drilling required just to maintain output
Counter-Perspectives
- Technology continues improving operational efficiency
- Infill drilling potential may extend productive life
- Multi-zone development can maximize recovery
- Higher commodity prices improve economics on marginal wells
Decline Analysis Data Sources
- IEA - International Energy Agency, "The Implications of Oil and Gas Field Decline Rates" (2024)
- EIA - U.S. Energy Information Administration, Production Decline Curve Analysis
- SPE/JPT - Society of Petroleum Engineers, "Shale Wells Producing More Early On, Then Declining Faster Than Ever"
- Art Berman - Petroleum Geologist, artberman.com - Shale decline analysis
- David Hughes - Geoscientist, Post Carbon Institute - Shale production studies
- Goehring & Rozencwajg - Natural Resource Investors, Permian Basin analysis
- Novi Labs - Delaware Basin and shale well performance data
Remaining Potential & Future Opportunities
Remaining Resource Potential
Significant resources remain despite substantial development activity:
- Estimated recoverable resources: 5-10+ billion BOE across play
- Remaining drilling locations: 5,000-10,000+ economic locations
- Under-developed zones: Osage and Sycamore targets
Development Opportunities
- Extended laterals: Moving from 5,000 ft to 10,000+ ft laterals
- Secondary zone development: Osage, Sycamore targets in proven areas
- Downspacing: Tighter inter-well spacing in core areas
- Refrac potential: Early vintage wells candidates for restimulation
- Deep SCOOP: Extended Woodford development at greater depths
- Enhanced recovery: Early-stage EOR pilots
Infrastructure
The SCOOP/STACK benefits from mature Oklahoma oil and gas infrastructure:
- Pipeline takeaway: Established crude and gas pipeline networks
- Processing: Multiple gas processing plants
- Cushing access: Direct access to Cushing hub for crude
- NGL infrastructure: Mont Belvieu access for liquids
Investment Considerations
- Geological variability: Performance varies significantly across play - core vs. non-core critical
- Parent-child well interference: Densely developed areas show interference effects
- Multiple zones complexity: Requires sophisticated development planning
- Basis differentials: WTI Cushing typically favorable vs. other basins
- Regulatory environment: Oklahoma Corporation Commission oversight
Conclusion
The SCOOP/STACK play represents Oklahoma's premier unconventional resource and exemplifies the multi-zone development concept that has become central to modern shale plays. With multiple stacked targets - Meramec, Woodford, Osage, and Sycamore - the play offers significant inventory depth in core areas where 6-8 wells per spacing unit can be drilled from single pad locations.
Key attributes include:
- Multi-zone architecture: 4-8 wells per section targeting different formations
- Proven productivity: 8,000+ horizontal wells with established type curves
- Premium products: 38-50° API light sweet crude oil
- Infrastructure advantage: Access to Cushing hub and established pipeline networks
- Remaining inventory: 5,000-10,000+ economic drilling locations
- Operator quality: Major independent operators dominate (Continental, Devon, Marathon)
For operators and investors seeking exposure to a multi-zone unconventional play with established infrastructure and favorable market access, the SCOOP/STACK remains an attractive opportunity - particularly in the core STACK area of Canadian County where Meramec wells have delivered some of the best economics in the play.
Data Sources & References
- EIA - U.S. Energy Information Administration Anadarko Region production data
- Oklahoma Corporation Commission - Well completion and production statistics
- USGS - Woodford Shale and Anadarko Basin assessments
- Continental Resources - SCOOP play development data and type curves
- Devon Energy - STACK development case studies and presentations
- Ovintiv (formerly Newfield/Encana) - Meramec development data
- Marathon Oil - Oklahoma investor presentations
- AAPG - American Association of Petroleum Geologists publications on Anadarko Basin geology
- SPE - Society of Petroleum Engineers technical papers on SCOOP/STACK completion optimization
- Pruitt, Sean - Owner, Kingdom Exploration. Research compilation and analysis.
Important Disclaimer
This geological review is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The author, Sean Pruitt, is not a licensed geologist. Information presented here has been compiled from publicly available sources including USGS reports, state geological surveys, academic publications, and industry data. Reservoir properties and production data represent ranges observed across productive areas and may vary significantly by location. Kingdom Exploration makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of this information for any specific purpose. This content does not constitute investment advice, geological consulting, or professional engineering recommendations. Investors and operators should conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified licensed professionals including petroleum geologists, reservoir engineers, and financial advisors before making any investment or operational decisions.
