Canada
Ressources et Energie (Squatex) has received the results of a major reassessment of resources for the eastern part of the Masse structure in Quebec, Canada’s Lower St. Lawrence permits. The assessment by Sproule Associates includes an authentication of in-depth analyses performed by the company’s technical team on the well logs at #2-Masse. Sproule’s analysis indicates that the resources simulations could extend over a probable average area of 5.2 sq km (2 sq miles). Well log evaluation included St. Leon and Sayabec formations in the eastern part of the Masse structure. The study indicates a potential of 1.5 Bcm (53.6 Bcf) of gas and 52.2 MMbbl of oil over the probable average area. The gross pay of Silurian Basin rock of the Lower St. Lawrence extends to about 540 m (1,772 ft), and the net pay zone varies between 66 m and 210 m (216.5 ft and 689 ft) with an average thickness of 130 m (426.5 ft). According to an internal study by Squatex, the Masse structure could extend over more than 80 sq km (30.8 sq miles). Squatex and partner Petrolympic are planning a new drilling program to further validate the potential of the Masse structure.
Falkland Islands
An independent study for Rockhopper Exploration Plc of its North Falkland Basin contingent resources confirms that the basin has 1 Bbbl of recoverable oil. Rockhopper’s acquisition of Falkland Oil & Gas Ltd. also doubled its net contingent resource, including reservoirs that make up the Sea Lion Complex and the reservoirs discovered in the Zebedee well. Field development will be conducted in two phases, the first of which will develop the Sea Lion resources in the northeast and northwest of the SL10 and SL20 fans. Sea Lion alone has almost 270 MMbbl of low-risk near-field upside, including the SL20 west flank in an oil-bearing case. The Isobel Elaine discovery has the potential to be a third regional development potentially containing more than 500 MMbbl. Premier Oil is the operator of the North Falkland Basin licenses with 60% interest. Rockhopper Exploration holds the remaining 40%.
Egypt
Eni announced another gas discovery in the Baltim South Development Lease in the East Nile Delta. Exploration well #1-SW Baltim was drilled to 3,750 m (12,303 ft) in 25 m (82 ft) of water. It hit 120 m (394 ft) of gross gas column and an approximate 62-m (203-ft) gas pay zone in Messinian sandstones. The discovery, which is 12 km (7 miles) from shoreline, is a new accumulation along the same trend of Nooros Field, which is now estimated to hold 70 Bcm to 80 Bcm (2.4 Tcf to 2.8 Tcf) of gas. Additional appraisal drilling is planned. Eni is a 50% partner with BP.
Israel
Noble Energy Inc. has received approval of its development plan for the Leviathan Field in the 349/Rachel and 350/Amit petroleum licenses offshore Israel. The plan calls for a subsea system that connects production wells to a fixed platform with a tie-in to shore. The initial capacity of the platform is anticipated to be 33.9 MMcm/d (1.2 Bcf/d) of gas that can be expanded to 59 MMcm/d (2.1 Bcf/d). The field is believed to contain as much as 538 Bcm (19 Tcf) in gas resources. Noble is the operator of the Leviathan Field with 39.66% interest in partnership with Delek Drilling (22.67%), Avner Oil Exploration (22.67%) and Ratio Oil Exploration (1992) (15%).
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Aramco has announced new onshore field discoveries—one in the eastern portion of Rub al Khali (Maqam) Field and one east of Ghawar Field. According to a ministry spokesman, the company also has made two nonassociated gas field discoveries: Edme west of Haradh and Murooj in the Rub al Khali. An offshore discovery, Faskar, also was announced in the Saudi sector of the Persian Gulf near Berri Field. Saudi Arabian crude reserves were put at 261.1 Bbbl in 2015, with gas reserves up from 8.3 Tcm (294 Tcf) in 2014 to 8.4 Tcm (297.6 Tcf) in 2015.
Pakistan
In the Hyderabad District in Pakistan’s Sindh Province, operator Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. has reported a gas discovery at exploration well #1X-Kotril. It is the first discovery in the concession and was drilled to 3,892 m (12,769 ft). Based on the gas shows during drilling and wireline log evaluation, a cased-hole drillstem test was conducted in Lower Goru Massive sands. The well flowed an average of 96,277 cu. m/d (3.4 MMcf/d) with a flowing wellhead pressure of 608 psi. Preliminary test data analysis suggests that it might be a tight gas discovery, and further evaluation is required to determine if it is commercial. Pakistan Petroleum is the operator of the Kotri Block (Block 2468-12) and #1-X Kotril with 100% interest.
Malaysia
Results from an offshore Sarawak gas discovery were announced by Sapura-Kencana Energy from its three-well 2015 drilling campaign within the Block SK408 production sharing contract area in Malaysia. The wells in the program targeted nonassociated gas within the primary Late Miocene carbonate reservoirs. The #1-Jerun had an interpreted gross gas column of about 800 m (2,625 ft) based on analysis of electric log, pressure and sample data. The #1-Jeremin, about 15 km (9 miles) west of the F9 gas fi eld, hit a 104-m (341-ft) gross gas column. Sapura-Kencana is the exploration operator with a 40% working interest. Its partners are Petronas (30%) and Shell (30%).
Philippines
Two deepwater South Sulu Sea exploration wells are planned on the Dabakan and Palendag prospects in Block SC56 in the Philippines by Mitra Energy Inc. An independent assessment by Lloyd’s Register Senergy indicates that there are about 30 MMbbl of oil and about 70.7 Bcm (2.5 Tcf) of gas on a high estimate. The best estimate is 10.3 Bcm (367 Bcf) for Dabakan and 5.8 Bcm (207 Bcf) for Palendag, with a low estimate of 3.5 MMcm (125 MMcf) for Dabakan and 2.7 Bcm (96 Bcf) for Palendag. Dabakan’s best estimate for oil is 4.1 MMbbl, while Palendag’s is 2 MMbbl. Mitra is the operator of the block with 25% interest. Total holds the remaining 75%.
Japan
INPEX is drilling an exploratory well in the Sea of Japan to assess the presence of hydrocarbons in the area. The project was commissioned by the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A semisubmersible rig will drill the venture in 210 m (689 ft) of water. The operations are about 130 km (81 miles) northwest of Shimane Prefecture and about 140 km (87 miles) north of Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Australia
Real Energy Ltd. has announced results from fracture stimulation of its #1-Tamarama in the Queensland portion of the Cooper Basin. The venture was fractured in five stages in Toolachee and Patchawarra at about 2,300 m (7,546 ft). The well hit 21 m (69 ft) of net sandstone gas pay (44 m [144 ft] gross) in Toolachee and 66 m (216.5 ft) of net sandstone gas pay (121 m [397 ft] gross) in Patchawarra. The venture is in Cooper Basin Block ATP927P. Additional testing is underway.
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