By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 21 -- Apache Corp., Houston, said Tuesday its Abu Sir-1X (Blue prospect) deepwater well, located 42 miles off Egypt, tested at a rate of 17.4 MMcfd through a 38/64-in. choke with 2,095 psi of flowing tubing pressure from perforations in the Pliocene Kafr El Sheikh at 6,620-724 ft.
Apache officials said they were encouraged by the results, especially because testing conditions were less than ideal. "This test was conducted over a 104-ft interval that represents the least prospective portion of the 311-ft potential gas pay column. The flow rate was restricted by equipment limitations and the unconsolidated nature of the reservoir, so we ran extensive pressure build-ups to establish the zone's productivity, calculating the absolute open flow potential at 90.4 MMcfd," said G. Steven Farris, Apache's CEO, president, and chief operating officer. "Based on these results, we see no need to test the remaining pay."
It was Apache's ninth discovery worldwide so far this year.
The company is operator, with a 55% interest in the Abu Sir well. RWE-DEA AG, Hamburg, has a 28.333% interest, and BP PLC holds the remaining 16.667%. The well was drilled to a TD of 7,530 ft. in 3,255 ft of water.
"The West Mediterranean block has the best exploration potential of any play in Apache's worldwide inventory," said Farris. Apache and its partners have identified seven prospects and leads in the deepwater portion, but "have only scratched the surface" of the concession's 2.3 million acres, he said (OGJ, May 20, 2002, p. 20).
"Deepwater drilling in this area is far less expensive than in the Gulf of Mexico and, because of its relative proximity to shore, development costs will be lower," said Farris. "Our goal over the next 18 months is to prove up at least 3 tcf of gross commercial gas reserves. We plan to drill on four additional structures this year."
