An emerging light oil play with a funny name has taken the lead in Calgary, Alberta-based Marquee Energy Ltd.’s production.

The Michichi play led Marquee (Toronto Venture: MQL) to a record production in 3Q 2012. More recently, the company reported that its 4Q 2012 production in the Michichi “exceeded expectations,” according to a news release.

The eastern Alberta play has multi-zone potential in the Banff, Detrital and Ellerslie formations.

Marquee is the most active driller in the Michichi, and has drilled 10 horizontal wells out of 30 licensed by industry in the area since July 2011.

Marquee claims a 100% success rate on its first 10 wells. During 4Q 2012, Marquee spud three wells in the play, the first of which averaged more than 200 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day over an initial five-day test period, and achieved an initial production rate of 141 BOE per day.

The second well tested greater than 200 BOE per day over one day, and the third well tested 173 BOE per day over three days. According to the release, the last two wells will be brought on production “within the next week.”

Marquee also got some good news from its Lloydminster ops, north of the Michichi play. The company saw record production of 650 BOE per day in December at Lloydminster.

Contact the author, Caroline Evans, cevans@hartenergy.com.