Glen Rose oil play grows in Maverick basin, Texas

Sept. 16, 2002
A private Houston operator said an oil play it is pursuing in perhaps the least explored Gulf Coast basin has the potential for large areal extent.

A private Houston operator said an oil play it is pursuing in perhaps the least explored Gulf Coast basin has the potential for large areal extent.

Saxet Energy Ltd., with public partner The Exploration Co., San Antonio, has produced 268,000 bbl of sweet, 42° gravity oil and 116,000 bbl of fresh water since the discovery well went on production in March 2002.

Eight wells are producing, two are shut-in, one is drilling, and three more are to spud soon, Brian E. O'Brien of Saxet Energy told the AAPG Prospect & Property Expo Aug. 27.

O'Brien did not discuss reserves for the field, in the Maverick or McKnight basin in Maverick County 30 miles east-southeast of Eagle Pass, Tex., but he said 6 wells are producing a combined 3,670 b/d. One well started up in June, two in July, and two in August.

Geologically, the play has raised many questions, the veteran geologist said. The discovery well tried to blow out in February 2002 and produced 5,300 bbl of oil from about 6,600 ft (OGJ, Mar. 11, 2002, p. 44). No cuttings could be recovered.

Named Comanche-Halsell field and initially thought to be a reef, the reservoir now appears to extend over a wide area and not to be a reef, O'Brien said. Another 300 sq miles of 3D data are to be processed by yearend.

To keep control of the discovery well, the operator pumped in 10,000 bbl of mud, water, and lost circulation materials, none of which has surfaced even though the well has made more than 150,000 bbl of oil. No gas has been produced.

(A longer version of this story is searchable at www.ogjonline.com)

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