Oman: Harvest sets drilling in Ghaba salt basin

April 8, 2011
Harvest Natural Resources Inc., Houston, expects to spud the first of two exploratory wells by the end of 2011 on 955,600-acre Block 64 in the Ghaba salt basin in south-central Oman.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 8
– Harvest Natural Resources Inc., Houston, expects to spud the first of two exploratory wells by the end of 2011 on 955,600-acre Block 64 in the Ghaba salt basin in south-central Oman.

The block, also known as Al Ghubar or Qarn Alam, is near Barik, Saih Rawl, and Saih Nihayda gas-condensate fields. Harvest committed to drill two wells in 3 years ending in May 2012 with a $22 million outlay.

The company has reprocessed and integrated multiple existing 3D seismic databases, and detailed geological and geophysical interpretation is under way to refine the prospects and define drilling locations. Well planning and procurement of long lead items is expected to start in the second quarter of 2011.

Harvest has 100% working interest in the block during the exploration phase, and Oman Oil Co. will have the option to back-in for as much as a 20% interest in the block after the discovery of gas.