Indonesia
Serica Energy Corp., Toronto, began acquiring 2,800 line-km of 2D seismic data on the Biliton block in the western Java Sea.
The 6,500-sq-km block, in which Serica is operator with 90% interest, lies midway between Semarang on Java and western East Kalimantan. The PSC was signed Dec. 30, 2003, and has a 6-year term. An initial 2,000 line-km of 2D data were acquired in early 2004.
Serica said it is preparing to drill on the block later in 2005.
Syria
Global Geo Services AS and Inseis Terra AS, both of Norway, plan to conduct a multiclient seismic survey starting in May in the Mediterranean Sea off Syria.
Pointing to hydrocarbon discoveries on the adjoining shelf off Turkey, the companies signed an exclusive contract with the Syrian Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources and Syrian Petroleum Co. (OGJ Online, Feb. 27, 2004).
The firms will collect 5,000 line-km of 2D seismic data in the area bounded by Cyprus, Turkey, and Lebanon waters using the Geomariner seismic vessel to assist companies interested in Syria’s first offshore licensing round.
Texas-Gulf Coast
Petrogen Corp., Houston, appeared close to reactivating Hawes gas field on northern Matagorda Island in Calhoun County.
The 3-well field produced less than 2 bcf of gas from Miocene sands at 6,000-7,000 ft in 1986-91 and was shut-in due to sand production problems, leaving behind more than 12 bcf of reserves. The area also has potential in Oligocene Frio.
Petrogen acquired the 20 MMcfd Matagorda Island gas pipeline from Sweet Oil Co. earlier this year and has boosted to 75% its working interest in 1,572 acres on the island. First to go online, under timing direction of the US Fish & Wildlife Service, is the Hawes 3A well that Petrogen retested at 978 Mcfd in late 2004.
