With thousands of shale and other unconventional wells drilled in the US this year, could 2014 possibly get any better? Most analysts seem to think so. If more equals better, then 2014 will likely be another sizzling year for the drill bit in the US, with a cascade of funds chasing a horde of anticipated initial public offerings, expanded oil-company development programs, greater drilling efficiencies and more horizontal wells than ever, analysts and upstream experts say. “The focus will continue to be on the core resource plays,” Topeka Capital Markets analyst Gabriele Sorbara said. “Dollars are going into development mode.” To that end, “I think you’ll see a robust IPO market,” Sorbara said, as private operators gear up to grow in established plays such as the Permian Basin in West Texas, the Eagle Ford in South Texas, the Bakken in North Dakota and Montana, […]