Apache Corporation has announced that the Amoun NE-1X discovery has tested at a combined rate of 3,186 barrels of oil and condensate and 11mn cu/ft of natural gas per day
The Amoun NE-1X well is on the north flank of Egypt's Khalda Ridge producing complex and testing was carried out on two zones in the Jurassic-aged upper and lower Safa formations.
The Amoun NE-1X well was the first of several planned wells to be drilled during 2013 that are targeting multiple liquids-rich objectives on the northern and southern flanks of the Khalda Ridge.
The planned wells' close proximity to production facilities is expected to enable quick completion and start-up of production.
The latest discovery, which followed 2012's successful full-field development programme at the Unas Field on the southern flank of the ridge, confirms significant additional exploration drilling potential in the heart of the Khalda concessions.
Apache plans to drill three development wells offsetting the Amoun NE-1X and test two nearby exploration plays and several additional prospects on the southern flank of Khalda Ridge later in 2013.
The Amoun NE-1X is located on the Khalda Development Lease, about 3.5 km east of Shams Field. The well, which was drilled to a total depth of 14,028 feet, encountered 50 feet of oil pay in three Cretaceous Alam el Buieb (AEB-3) sands in addition to 101 feet of pay in the Jurassic Safa sands that were tested.
The well cost US$4.2mn to drill and complete.
Meanwhile, Apache has also reported success at its WD 33 development lease in the Abu Gharadig Basin.
Apache's exploration and development drilling on WD 33 began in late 2012.
The recently completed WD 33-5, which cost US$3.65mn to drill and complete, tested at a rate 2,324 barrels of oil and 600,000 cu/ft of gas per day from the Abu Roash E reservoir.
As many as five additional locations may be required for full development. In addition, three exploratory wells are planned in the area during 2013.
Also in the Abu Gharadig Basin, the Karama-15 well in the Karama Development Lease test-flowed 2,136 barrels of oil per day with original reservoir pressure in the Abu Roash G reservoir along the western flank of the Karama Field.
The Karama-15 cost US$2.1mn to drill and complete and has confirmed as many as seven additional drilling locations. The Karama Field was Apache's first discovery in the Abu Gharadig Basin in 2001.
"The high oil and condensate yields encountered in Amoun NE-1X and the potential for additional wells on the Khalda Ridge and Abu Gharadig Basin provide multiple opportunities for Apache's active exploration and development programme in Egypt," said Thomas M. Maher, vice president and general manager of Apache's Egypt Region.
Apache plans to drill 270 wells in Egypt in 2013, including more than 60 exploration wells.
