Louisiana: Chalk prospect flowing oil, gas

Jan. 4, 2011
A horizontal 3D seismic prospect at North Bayou Jack field in eastern Avoyelles Parish, La., is flowing oil and gas from Cretaceous Austin chalk despite mechanical problems.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 4
-- A horizontal 3D seismic prospect at North Bayou Jack field in eastern Avoyelles Parish, La., is flowing oil and gas from Cretaceous Austin chalk despite mechanical problems.

The Deshotels 20-H-1 well at Turner Bayou is flowing 600 b/d of oil and 500 Mcfd of gas through a 20/64-in. choke from 640 ft of perforations in a 3,755-ft horizontal leg in the chalk at 16,400 ft true vertical depth, said Pryme Oil & Gas Ltd., Brisbane, which owns 40% of the working interest. Nelson Energy Inc., private Shreveport independent, operates the well.

The rate is not believed to be an indication of the well’s production potential, Pryme said.

The companies planned to acidize each of 20 perforated intervals to recover residual cement and enhance communication between the perforated intervals and the oil and gas bearing fracture zones. Progress with the acidizing procedure has been impeded by the mechanical failure of packers used to selectively isolate each perforated zone and ensure that the acid is directed to the most relevant areas.

As a result, Pryme said, “it appears that the perforated zones that would benefit most from acidizing have not been effectively treated and oil and gas production to date is adversely affected. The acidizing procedure has been temporarily suspended pending a revised remediation plan and the securing of appropriate services.”

Meanwhile, production facilities are being installed, probably in the next 3 weeks, after which a comprehensive flow test will be carried out.