Two Deep, Unconventional Gas Exploratory Wells Planned in Rub al Khali, Saudi Arabia
Drilling Activity Summary
Description
Lukoil plans to drill two deep unconventional gas exploration wells in Saudi Arabia's Rub al-Khali region. Two wells are currently planned and both will be drilled to about 5,800 m in Mushaib Field, a tight gas play. Shell and Sinopec have been exploring the region for conventional gas and oil deposits from about 15 years. Aramco wants gas to help it cover subsidized domestic power demand so it can save oil for more lucrative exports. Aramco is willing to spend up to $3 billion on shale gas development in the Kingdom, but has given no details on the investment. Adequate supply of water for fracturing will be a major issue. Aramco is developing new hydraulic fracturing technologies to increase recovery rates and improve cost efficiency, including a CO2-based fracturing fluid. Aramco has a plan to produce 200 MMcf/d of unconventional gas to supply a new phosphate project and power plant in the Eastern Province. Moscow-based Lukoil is the operator of the 29,928 sq km Block A in Saudi Arabia's Rub al-Khali.
Lukoil plans to drill two deep unconventional gas exploration wells in Saudi Arabia's Rub al-Khali region. Two wells are currently planned and both will be drilled to about 5,800 m in Mushaib Field, a tight gas play. Shell and Sinopec have been exploring the region for conventional gas and oil deposits from about 15 years. Aramco wants gas to help it cover subsidized domestic power demand so it can save oil for more lucrative exports. Aramco is willing to spend up to $3 billion on shale gas development in the Kingdom, but has given no details on the investment. Adequate supply of water for fracturing will be a major issue. Aramco is developing new hydraulic fracturing technologies to increase recovery rates and improve cost efficiency, including a CO2-based fracturing fluid. Aramco has a plan to produce 200 MMcf/d of unconventional gas to supply a new phosphate project and power plant in the Eastern Province. Moscow-based Lukoil is the operator of the 29,928 sq km Block A in Saudi Arabia's Rub al-Khali.