Uchenna Izundu
International Editor
LONDON, Jan. 11 -- Apache Corp. reported that its Alexandrite 1X well in the Matruh concession in Egypt's Western Desert has flowed 19.8 MMcfd of gas and 4,045 b/d of condensate, indicating that it is commercial.
The well will begin commercial production next week from a recompletion in the Alam El Bueib 6 (AEB 6) formation.
Within the new interval, Apache tested 37 ft of net pay in two AEB 6 segments between 12,112 ft and 12,198 ft. The test was conducted with 1,650 psi of flowing wellhead pressure through a 1-in. choke.
Alexandrite 1X was drilled to a depth of 15,300 ft in 2003 and it previously produced hydrocarbons from a Jurassic Upper Safa formation, which have totaled 3 bcf of gas and 514,000 bbl of condensate since November 2003.
Apache said the nearest AEB 6 production is in its Emerald field, about 30 km east of the Alexandrite 1X well.
An Apache spokesman told OGJ that the gas would be used domestically. Apache is planning additional drilling for Jurassic and AEB targets in the Alexandrite 1X area in 2007.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].
