Uchenna Izundu
International Editor
LONDON, Mar. 10 -- Gulfsands Petroleum Syria Ltd. has suspended as a future oil producer the KHE-4 development well in Khurbet East field in northeastern Syria. It will start commercial operations in the fourth quarter. Khurbet East is on Block 26 about 12 km southwest of Souedieh oil field and 12 km south of Roumelan oil field.
KHE-4, the first development well in the field, is a vertical well near the mapped crest of the structure on the block. It reached a TD of 1,935 m, with the Cretaceous Massive formation reservoir section being drilled within 3 m of the company's predrill target.
Gulfsands did not carry out a drill stem test with this well, as the tests from the KHE-2 and KHE-3 wells have sufficient information for the vertical wells in this portion of the field. Gulfsands' partner Emerald Energy reported that the KHE-2 appraisal well was drilled to 2,050 m TD encountering the Cretaceous Massive formation at 1,931 m. Wireline logs indicated a gross hydrocarbon interval of 49 m and a net hydrocarbon interval of at least 29 m. The well was tested over the upper 10 m of the Massive formation.
During a 16-hr flow test on KHE- 2 last year, 710 b/d of 26° gravity oil flowed to surface under natural flow through a 32/64-in. choke. Flow increased to 820 b/d with a gas-oil ratio of 15 scf/bbl. The results of the testing operation indicate good formation permeability, Emerald said.
In January KHE-3 was drilled to 2,050 m TD to further appraise the Massive formation. The full section of the main Massive reservoir was flow tested, under natural flow conditions, at 3,420 b/d of oil.
The companies shot a 160 sq km 3D seismic survey over the structure to plan further well locations. Exploration of the block also is progressing with 240 sq km of 3D seismic over some leads.
Gulfsands Chief Executive John Dorrier said the company is planning an aggressive drilling program for the field for the remainder of the year. It will drill the KHE-5H development well later this month as the first horizontal well within the Massive formation reservoir.
Gulfsands is operator and holds a 50% interest in the production-sharing license, with Emerald Energy's subsidiary SNG Overseas Ltd. holding the remaining 50%.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].
