Apache Corporation has agreed to acquire nine Permian Basin oil and gas fields with current net production of 3,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day from Marathon Oil Corporation for $187.4 million.

Apache agreed to acquire Marathon's company-operated assets located in Lea County, N.M., and Reagan, Howard and Sterling counties in Texas, as well as Marathon's interests in the Chenot/Putnam area in Pecos County, Texas. The properties have current net production of 10 million cubic feet (MMcf) of natural gas, 1,332 barrels of oil, and 524 barrels of natural gas liquids per day.

"These fields are a great fit with Apache's existing properties in the Permian Basin, particularly in Lea County, N.M.," said John Crum, Apache's co-chief operating officer and president - North America. "Properties with approximately 75 percent of the proved reserves and 61 percent of the current production offset Apache-operated units in Lea County. Based on our experience with well-spacing in the area, we have identified more than 200 possible drilling locations on the Marathon acreage."

When Apache started downsizing well-spacing at the Northeast Drinkard Unit from 16 wells per square-mile section to 32 wells per section, field production grew from 700 barrels per day to 2,000 barrels per day. Marathon's fields currently have 16 wells per section.

"Although this is a modest transaction, it is an opportunity to add to our substantial position in the area," Crum said. The company has 914,226 gross acres (447,760 net) in the basin and current net production of 34,500 barrels of oil and 86 MMcf of gas per day.

Tags: Apache Corporation, Marathon Oil Corporation