Noble Energy Inc.'s production in the Denver-Julesburg area has reached a record 74,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

That represents a 12 percent increase from average daily production in the fourth quarter of 2011, Noble said.

Horizontal production could result in 32 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by the end of this year, which would double the "exit rate" of 2011, Noble said.

The company also said it plans to drill 12 to 15 additional extended-reach wells, and it has added 48,000 net acres in Northern Colorado.

The company now believes its first-quarter 2012 volumes will reach the upper end of the previously announced first quarter guidance range of 228 to 236 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Strong Denver-Julesburg production partly drives that performance.