Gulfsands Petroleum has confirmed a natural gas discovery at the Lalla Yetou Updip-1 well, located within the Rharb Centre permit in northern Morocco.
The well – which has been successfully drilled to a total depth of 1182 metres – flowed gas to surface, through a 28/64-inch choke, at an estimated rate of 6.6 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfpd) with no formation water produced.
The LTU-1 well is currently being monitored for pressure build-up, after which it will be temporarily suspended as a future gas producer. Drilling operations on LTU-1 commenced on 20 June and the well was drilled to the planned total depth of 1182 metres on 1 July. Elevated gas readings obtained while drilling, as well as interpretation of wireline logs, indicated the presence of a gas bearing reservoir section of 12 metres gross thickness at the pre-drill target interval depth.
The main reservoir encountered appears consistent with the pre-drill expectation of a turbidite distributary channel/fan complex, with laminated sand and silt layers and normal bed grading.
A gas-to-water contact is interpreted in the well, based on gas shows and petrophysical data, at a depth approximately 13 metres below the gross reservoir section, also consistent with the pre-drill expectation. After the conclusion of drilling and formation evaluation operations, the 12 meter gross reservoir section was perforated and a short term production clean up flow period was undertaken.
Within one hour after commencing the clean-up flow period, the well had unloaded the completion fluids and was producing 100% gas to surface and with 0% bulk solids and water (BS&W). The estimated flow rate for the well, based on empirical calculation methods, was approximately 6.6 mmscfpd on a 28/64-inch choke. After completing the 12 hour clean-up flow period, the well was shut in for pressure build-up observations. The drilling rig will be released from the LTU-1 location, and the LTU-1 well will be temporarily suspended as a future gas producer.
Chief executive Mahdi Sajjad said: “We are very pleased with the successful results achieved in the LTU-1 well. This well is the first well location to be drilled following our interpretation of seismic data acquired in the recently completed Rharb 3D seismic programme which we hope will provide a firm foundation for further drilling successes on this permit.”
At 8:55am: (LON:GPX) Gulfsands Petroleum PLC share price was +5.75p at 54.25p
