The Baltim South West 2X appraisal well, drilled in the Nile Delta, encountered an 86-m net gas column in two sand layers of Messinian age with excellent reservoir characteristics.
The results have prompted partners Eni SPA and BP PLC to upgrade the potential of Baltim South West field to 1 tcf of gas in place. Potential of the Great Nooros area, which encompasses both Baltim South West and Nooros fields, has been lifted to 3 tcf of gas in place.
Eni in June reported the Baltim SW-1 exploration well reached a total depth of 3,750 m, encountering 62 m of net gas pay in high-quality Messinian sandstones (OGJ Online, June 9, 2016). Baltim South West field is 12 km from the Egyptian coastline in 25 m of water.
Eni and BP are reviewing development options for the latest discovery. As for Nooros, the plan is to maximize synergies with existing systems in the area in accordance with Eni’s nearfield exploration strategy. Production from Nooros reached 700 MMcfd of gas 13 months after the discovery, Eni and BP said this month (OGJ Online, Sept. 12, 2016).
Eni unit IEOC operates Baltim South with 50% interest while BP holds the rest. The operator is Petrobel, a joint venture of IEOC and state partner Egyptian General Petroleum Corp.
