UAE-based natural gas company Dana Gas has begun drilling the Balsam-2 development well in the Balsam Development lease onshore the Nile Delta
This is the first horizontal well to be drilled by Dana Gas and among the few drilled on the Nile delta, said company officials. In addition, the Balsam-2 well is the first in a major drilling campaign of nearly 30 wells and a large number of work-overs that will be drilled over the next three years, and forms part of the Gas Production Enhancement Agreement (GPEA) work commitment.
Dr Mark Fenton, general manager of Dana Gas Egypt, said, “We are very happy to be commencing our drilling operations as part of the GPEA. It represents the culmination of many months of preparation and planning to assemble the portfolio of targets for drilling in conjunction with preparing our infrastructure to receive this additional gas and condensate. We are particularly proud to be extending our technical capabilities to include the drilling of horizontal wells. We are also targeting to develop all the remaining conventional 2P gas reserves.”
According to the company, the Balsam-2 well is being drilled with the 2000 HP Rig #48, owned by the Egyptian Drilling Company, and will target the Qawasim reservoir at a depth of 3,200 metres. Following this, a slanted and fully cored pilot hole will be drilled through the reservoir, and a 700-metre horizontal section will also be drilled.
Company sources also added that the drilling is expected to take approximately four months to be completed.
