Two operators reported success at E&D ventures in eastern and western Argentina.
A Chevron San Jorge group gauged a large oil discovery in the Gulf of San Jorge basin, and Pioneer Natural Resources Co., Irving, Tex., expanded its operations in the Neuquen basin.
Chevron has a discovery at the La Yesera X1 exploratory well on the Rio Negro Norte block in Rio Negro Province. The well, 20 km southwest of giant Loma Negra complex, flowed at rates of more than 3,000 b/d of 53° gravity oil, reported partner Repsol YPF. TD is 4,846 m.
Block interests are Chevron and San Jorge Energy each 18.75%, Repsol 35%, Corp. Financiera Internacional 15%, and Metro Holding 12.5%.
Pioneer acquired one block and bid successfully for another in the Neuquen basin. Pioneer plans to explore and further develop the 80,000-acre Anticlinal Campamento block, where it acquired 100% working interest from Alberta Energy Co. for $12.2 million.
West of Pioneer's core Al Norte de la Dorsal (AND) area, the block contains proved reserves of 31.7 bcf of gas and 170,000 bbl of oil. It produces 7 MMcfd of gas and nominal oil.
On the 169,195-acre Cerro Vagon block Pioneer committed to acquire 440 sq km of 3D seismic data and drill 5 wildcats the next 4 years. Cerro Vagon is next to Pioneer's core Al Sur de la Dorsal block. Pioneer discovered several fields on adjacent blocks the last 18 months.
Pioneer also committed to drill 2 wildcats on two blocks covering 51,500 acres in the Dos Hermanas concession acquired earlier this year. It is evaluating a large deep gas exploration project on the 55,328-acre La Calera block near giant Loma La Lata gas field.