ENI makes fifth discovery in Caspian Sea off Kazakhstan

July 27, 2004
ENI SPA unit Agip KCO, operator of the North Caspian Sea production-sharing agreement with Kazakhstan's state-owned Kazmunay gas in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, made its fifth field discovery with the Kairan-1 exploration well.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, July 27 -- ENI SPA unit Agip KCO, operator of the North Caspian Sea production-sharing agreement with Kazakhstan's state-owned Kazmunaygas, made a new discovery with the Kairan-1 exploration well in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea.

The well, drilled to 3,850 m TD, encountered an oil pay zone exceeding 500 m, ENI said. The well flowed on test at 4,100 b/d of 44° gravity oil through a 32/64-in. choke. Additional appraisal studies currently are underway.

Kairan is the fifth discovered field on the 1.4 million-acre PSA, following the world-class Kashagan, which has estimated resources of 13 billion bbl of oil, Kalamkas, Kashagan Southwest, and Aktote.

ENI holds a 16.67% interest in the project. Partners are ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc. 16.67%, BG PLC 16.67%, ConocoPhillips 8.33%, Tokyo-based Inpex Corp.8.33%, Royal Dutch/Shell 16.67%, and Total SA 16.67%.