Poland: Aurelian spuds Zechstein reef oil prospect

April 30, 2012
Aurelian Oil & Gas PLC has spudded its first exploratory well in the Zechstein reef oil play on the Torzym concession in Poland’s central lowlands.

Aurelian Oil & Gas PLC has spudded its first exploratory well in the Zechstein reef oil play on the Torzym concession in Poland’s central lowlands.

Sosna-1 is projected to 2,500 m and targets 35 million bbl of oil potentially in place. Success would derisk other prospects and leads mapped in the 220 sq km area of the Cybinka-Torzym 3D seismic survey shot in 2010.

Field work for the first phase of surface geochemical sampling on the Cybinka and Torzym concessions to detect hydrocarbon microseepage over mapped prospects and leads is now complete and samples are being analyzed.

Aurelian has been awarded a 100% interest in the 212.58 sq km Kotlarka concession in central Poland in the southern Permian basin. The work program consists of studies in the first year and 50 line-km of 2D seismic in the second and third years. Kotlarka is adjacent to 500 bcf Bogdaj-Uciechow gas field and is prospective for the Rotliegendes and Zechstein plays.

Meanwhile, Aurelian and Romgaz increased interests to 50-50 in the EIII-1 Brodina license in Romania following the withdrawal of Europa Oil & Gas. Aurelian and Romgaz have entered the third and fourth years with a reduced work program consisting of one well, 150 line-km of 2D seismic, geochemical sampling, and passive geophysical surveying. Geological and geophysical surveys are expected to start in the second half of 2012.

Interests in Cybinka and Torzym are Aurelian Oil & Gas Poland Sp. z o.o. operator with 45%, SNGN Romgaz SA 30%, and Sceptre Oil & Gas Ltd. 25%.