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Encore Energy says it plans 10 to 15 more horizontal Berea wells in Eastern Kentucky

4 hours ago
By AI, Created 16:19 UTC, Aug 05, 2026, AGP -

Encore Energy says its horizontal Berea oil program in Eastern Kentucky has delivered three straight successful wells and could expand with 10 to 15 more wells over the long term. The company says the play is helping drive oil output, jobs and tax revenue in Lawrence County and across deep Appalachia.

Why it matters: - Encore Energy is betting on horizontal Berea oil wells as a long-term source of production, reserves and cash flow in Eastern Kentucky. - The company says the play is part of a broader, near-billion-dollar oil and gas industry in deep Appalachia with implications for jobs, workforce training and Kentucky tax revenue. - The update also signals continued investor interest in operator-direct participation in nonconventional oil and gas projects, which carry high risk but can generate long-term monthly income if wells perform.

What happened: - Encore Energy, Inc. said it controls thousands of leased acres across Eastern Kentucky and operates multiple horizontal oil and gas projects. - The company said nearly 200 horizontal wells have been permitted, drilled or placed into production in Lawrence County by multiple operators. - Encore said the horizontal Berea nonconventional play is the most active and prolific oil and gas development in Kentucky. - President and CEO Steve Stengell said Encore has drilled three consecutive successful wells that are either in production or moving to production. - Stengell said Encore plans to drill 10 to 15 horizontal wells along the productive trend over the long term.

The details: - Encore said the Berea play uses MWD-guided horizontal drilling and plug-and-perf multi-stage fracture stimulation. - The company described its strategy as developing and proving producing oil and gas assets with sustainable production profiles and long-term reserves. - Encore said nonconventional development has become cleaner and more environmentally responsible because of horizontal drilling, multi-stage completion techniques and regulatory compliance standards. - The company said its operations can support hundreds or thousands of highly skilled jobs in East Kentucky. - Encore said qualified investors may be able to deduct nearly 100% of intangible drilling costs in year one. - Encore said it offers operator-direct, direct wellhead participation and transparent communication at the wellhead level. - The company said oil and gas investments involve a high degree of risk, long development timelines and uncertain results. - Encore said nonconventional projects require significant capital investment and can face difficult mountainous terrain. - The company said no assurances can be made about production rates, reserves, profitability, income, timelines or commodity prices. - Encore said its success depends on locating proven reserves and mitigating risk through each phase of operations. - The company said it ships high-quality crude oil directly to Ergon Midstream. - Encore provided contact information for participation through Steve Stengell at (270) 438-9956 and steve.stengell@encore-energy.com.

Between the lines: - The announcement mixes operational updates with an investor pitch, which suggests Encore is trying to turn drilling success into a funding advantage. - The emphasis on “proven reserves” and “low risk” sits alongside a detailed risk disclaimer, underscoring how volatile small oil and gas projects can be even when wells are producing. - The company’s focus on Eastern Kentucky reflects a broader push to monetize smaller unconventional basins that larger producers may overlook.

What's next: - Encore plans to keep drilling its best proved undeveloped locations to extend production and reserves. - The company appears positioned to add more wells along the Berea trend if the current run of successful wells continues. - Investors considering participation are being directed to contact Encore directly for more information.

Disclaimer: This article was produced by AGP Wire with the assistance of artificial intelligence based on original source content and has been refined to improve clarity, structure, and readability. This content is provided on an “as is” basis. While care has been taken in its preparation, it may contain inaccuracies or omissions, and readers should consult the original source and independently verify key information where appropriate. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice.

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