By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 6 -- Petrolifera Petroleum Ltd., a private Calgary independent, is producing oil from two formations at an apparently substantial discovery in Argentina's Neuquen basin.
Several wells on the Puesto Morales-Rinconada concession have produced at rates calculated as high as 2,400 b/d on short tests in recent weeks, and the company plans to defer sizing permanent installations until it more clearly establishes the area's productive potential.
The RN.PM.x-1003 well tested at rates of 750 b/d to 2,400 b/d of oil from the Lower Jurassic Punta Rosada formation and at rates of 1,075 b/d to 1,426 b/d of oil from the Upper Jurassic Sierras Blancas formation, which also made several hundred cubic feet of gas a day. Petrolifera cautioned that the test rates were not stabilized.
The 1004 well flowed at rates of 457 b/d to 940 b/d of oil from the Sierras Blancas formation.
The 1002 well found oil in a new pay in Zone 2 of the Cretaceous Quintuco formation. Petrolifera is deferring tests of the three Quintuco zones in the 1003 well to avoid compromising the 1003 well (OGJ Online, Nov. 1, 2005).
The Sierras Blancas crude is light, 35° gravity oil and has salt content similar to Punta Rosada oil and to that being produced at Puesto Morales Sur field to the south.
The company placed the 1003 well on production on Dec. 3 making an initial 380 b/d from Punta Rosada. Sierras Blancas was to be opened upon arrival of a new storage tank on Dec. 5.
Meanwhile, the 1005 well encountered two interesting zones with encouraging oil shows in the Quintuco, its primary objective. Drilling was to continue until the drilling rig is scheduled to work for another operator in early 2006.
Petrolifera, which holds 100% interest in the concession, is 35% owned by Connacher Oil & Gas Ltd., Calgary.