Kazakhstan: Zhagabulak wells adding oil pay

Jan. 16, 2012
Aral Petroleum Capital LLP has spudded Well 306 in East Zhagabulak field in the North Caspian basin in Kazakhstan about 1 mile south of Well 308, which is to be tested in February.

Aral Petroleum Capital LLP has spudded Well 306 in East Zhagabulak field in the North Caspian basin in Kazakhstan about 1 mile south of Well 308, which is to be tested in February.

Aral Petroleum, held 40% by Caspian Energy Inc., Toronto, and 60% by Asia Sixth Energy, invested $34.31 million on the North Block in 2011 compared with the $25.84 million obliged to be spent, Caspian Energy said.

Well 308, cased to 4,775 m on the strength of electric log analysis, lies midway between producing wells 213 and 301, which are producing a combined 400 b/d of oil.

New rules issued by the Ministry of Oil and Gas require filing of a technology scheme to support each production license. Information obtained from drilling Well 306 is a final component of the technology scheme for East Zhagabulak, which when approved will validate the field’s full 25-year production period, Caspian Energy said.

Geological conditions for Well 306 are the same as for Well 308. Well 306 targets the same hydrocarbon-bearing horizons; KT-I at 3,360-3,879 m and KT-II at 4,070-4,700 m.

Aral is also drilling Well 316 in West Zhagabulak field with the aim of extending its production license over a larger area. Aral holds a 3-year exploration permit for the North Block, which contains several prospective areas, including East and West Zhagabulak.