Oct. 22, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) today announced company record production rates in all four of its Big 4 shale plays.

In the Barnett Shale, Chesapeake’s gross operated daily production has recently exceeded 1.0 billion cubic feet of natural gas (bcf) from approximately 1,500 Chesapeake-operated wells. Chesapeake made its first investment in the Barnett Shale in late 2004 with an 18,000 acre acquisition that included gross operated production of just 25 million cubic feet (mmcf) per day. In less than five years, Chesapeake has become the second-largest producer of natural gas, the most active driller and the largest leasehold owner in the Core and Tier 1 sweet spots of Tarrant and Johnson counties. In working to achieve this significant production milestone, Chesapeake’s Barnett team pioneered efforts in pad drilling, multi-stage fracture stimulation and urban drilling.

Two notable recent wells completed by Chesapeake in the Barnett are as follows:

• The Day Kimball Hill A1 in Tarrant County, TX achieved a peak rate of 16.4 mmcf per day and is expected to produce an average of more than 13.0 mmcf per day in its first month and exceed the previous monthly industry Barnett production record established by two Chesapeake-operated wells this summer that averaged more than 9.0 mmcf per day; and
• The Chaney 2H in Johnson County, TX achieved a peak rate of 10.0 mmcf per day.

In the Haynesville Shale, where Plains Exploration & Production Company (NYSE:PXP) is Chesapeake’s 20% joint venture partner, Chesapeake’s gross operated daily production has recently reached 500 mmcf from approximately 125 Chesapeake-operated wells, or roughly 20% of the number of wells needed to reach this production level in the Barnett. Chesapeake announced its discovery of the Haynesville Shale in March 2008 and has quickly accelerated its development of the play. Chesapeake is the largest leasehold owner, largest producer and most active driller of new wells in the Haynesville.

Two notable recent wells completed by Chesapeake in the Haynesville are as follows:

• The Caspiana 13-15-12 H-1 in Caddo Parish, LA achieved a peak rate of 20.2 mmcf per day; and
• The Bradway 24-15-12 H-1 in Caddo Parish, LA achieved a peak rate of 18.6 mmcf per day.

In the Fayetteville Shale, where BP America (NYSE:BP) is Chesapeake’s 25% joint venture partner, Chesapeake’s gross operated daily production has recently exceeded 400 mmcf from approximately 450 Chesapeake-operated wells.