Amid high costs, shale explorers adding own equipment

摘要

Houston-As more operators flock to uncon- ventional oil and natural gas plays hoping to eke out a share of the soaring profits to be had there, demand for oil services in those areas has pushed costs to what one observer called "psychedelic" heights this past year. To hold down well completion costs- which at least on the fracturing side have risen at least 20%-40% year over year, accord- ing to analysts-and also assure they can access services and equipment, E&P compa- nies have adopted assorted strategies. These range from inking long-term agreements with oil service providers to acquiring their own equipment for crucial well operations.