Texas-based Comstock Resources weeks ago offered a sliver of hope the Haynesville Shale may be getting renewed attention from the industry.

The independent energy company announced plans to suspend its oil-directed drilling activity in shale plays in Texas and Mississippi and move two rigs to Northeast Louisiana where it would start up drilling for natural gas in the Haynesville Shale. Comstock expects to spend $161 million drilling 14 horizontal wells in the Haynesville and overlaying Bossier Shale, according to a news release issued Dec. 18.

The first well was spudded last week and the second rig is expected to move into DeSoto Parish at month’s end or in early February. Even though natural gas prices have dropped slightly since the announcement — the price was $3.14 mmBtu last week — Comstock officials believe if the price hovers around $3 the company “will still see some pretty decent returns,” said Gary Guyton in the company’s investor relations division.  Read more ...

Vickie Welborn 11:07 p.m. CST January 10, 2015