Productivity in and around the Niobrara shale formation is in its early stages but business is booming. Infrastructure challenges and shortfalls in the Niobrara’s most active drilling zones are not as significant as in other shale plays due to its close proximity to a major metropolitan area (Denver). However, companies are quickly buying up land for future drilling activity and the development of additional supporting infrastructure.
The Niobrara has been compared by some to the Bakken shale formation farther to the north. However, since drilling and logistics in the Niobrara are far less expensive than the Bakken, the Niobrara is often seen as a “land of opportunity”, particularly during unstable economic times in the energy industry.