Repsol-YPF confirms Murzuq basin discovery

May 17, 2001
Repsol-YPF SA, Madrid, has confirmed its A1 discovery on exploration block NC-186 of the Murzuq basin, 800 km south of Tripoli, Libya.


By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, May 17 -- Repsol-YPF SA, Madrid, has confirmed its A1 discovery on exploration block NC-186 of the Murzuq basin, 800 km south of Tripoli, Libya.

Well A2 found an oil column in the middle Ordovician sand of the Hawaz. The well tested up to 2,670 b/d of 41°-gravity oil from natural flow through a 1-in. choke.

A1 tested up to 2,500 b/d of 41°-gravity oil from a 3/4-in. choke (OGJ Online, Nov. 29, 2000). Also, B1 in the same block previously tested 1,300 b/d of 40°-gravity oil (OGJ Online, Mar. 16, 2001).

NC-186 covers 4,300 sq km. Repsol operates that block, NC-187, and NC-190 on behalf of partners National Oil Corp. of Libya, OMV AG, TotalFinaElf SA, and Saga Petroleum Mabruk, an affiliate of Norsk Hydro SA.

Production from the Murzuq basin started in December 1996 from El-Sharara field on block NC-115. El-Sharara, operated by a Repsol affiliate, is producing more than 150,000 b/d of 44°-gravity oil.