Gulfsands Petroleum has discovered gas at Douar Ouled Balkhair 1 gas exploration well (DOB-1), located within the Rharb Centre Permit, in northern Morocco
During testing, gas flowed to surface during the well clean-up flow period at rates in excess of 283,168 standard cu/m per day on a 48/64-inch choke setting. DOB-1 has now been suspended as a future gas production well, the UK-based explorer said.
The DOB-1 well is the third well to be drilled on the Rharb Centre Permit based on the company’s interpretation of 3D seismic survey data acquired in the second half of 2013. The first two wells — LTU-1 and DRC-1 — drilled on this permit also found gas.
DOB-1 was drilled to a total depth of 1,140 metres and encountered the primary reservoir target interval on prognosis at a depth of around 808 metres measured depth.
Gulfsands Petroleum CEO Mahdi Sajjad said, “We are delighted with the results of the drilling and flow testing operations at well DOB-1. This is the third consecutive successful exploration drilling result that the Company has achieved in Morocco utilising the 3D seismic data acquired and processed in 2013-2014. We are continuing with our efforts to commence production from these discoveries and are receiving much appreciated assistance from ONHYM to ensure this is achieved as soon as possible.”
According to Gulfsands Petroleum, significantly elevated gas readings obtained while drilling, as well as interpretation of geological samples and wire line logs, indicated the presence of a gas bearing sandstone reservoir section of excellent quality.
Detailed petrophysical evaluation of wireline logs over the primary target yielded an interpretation indicating a 4.2 metres gross sand thickness, with a net sand thickness of 3.7 metres and evaluated average gas saturation of 70 per cent and average porosity of 34 per cent.
The secondary reservoir target interval for the well was encountered at a depth of approximately 1,075 metres measured depth. Significantly elevated gas readings were encountered over the interval 1,075-1,127 metres measured depth.
