Aramco's offshore gas strike due more tests

April 19, 2006
Saudi Aramco plans to test at least three more reservoirs in a Persian Gulf gas discovery 160 km north of Dhahran between Jurayd and Harqus oil fields (OGJ Online, Apr. 18, 2006).

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 19 -- Saudi Aramco plans to test at least three more reservoirs in a Persian Gulf gas discovery 160 km north of Dhahran between Jurayd and Harqus oil fields (OGJ Online, Apr. 18, 2006).

The Karan-6 well flowed 40 MMcfd of gas through a 38/64-in. choke with 5,033 psi wellhead flowing pressure on an open-hole test of the Permian Khuff A reservoir at 10,888 ft. Flow was limited by capacity of the test string. Aramco said the well might produce 80 MMcfd with a normal completion.

It plans to evaluate and test the Khuff B, C, and D reservoirs, which logs indicate are "excellent quality" hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs capable of producing at rates comparable to the initial test.

Aramco also plans to deepen the hole into and evaluate pre-Khuff clastics.

The Ensco 76 jack up is on the well, which is programmed to 17,000 ft.

Karan-6 is the first of 11 deep gas prospects Aramco plans to test off Saudi Arabia over 5-6 years with the Ensco 76 and a second rig to begin work this year. Target depths of several of the tests, which involve high temperatures and pressures, exceed 20,000 ft.

This is the first deep offshore gas exploration Aramco has conducted since the 1980s.