Apache Corp. has completed an oil and gas-condensate discovery on the north flank of the Khalda Ridge producing complex in the Western Desert of Egypt, a country in which the company plans to drill 270 wells in 2013, including more than 60 exploratory wells.
The Amoun NE-1X discovery tested at a combined rate of 3,186 b/d of oil and condensate and 11 MMcfd of natural gas per day from two zones in the Jurassic Upper and Lower Safa formations.
Amoun NE-1X was the first 2013 well among several planned locations targeting multiple liquids-rich objectives on the northern and southern flanks of Khalda Ridge. The planned wells’ proximity to production facilities is expected to enable quick completion and start of production.
The latest discovery, which followed 2012’s highly successful full-field development program at Unas field on the ridge’s southern flank, confirms additional exploratory drilling potential in a prolific producing area in the heart of the Khalda concessions.
Apache will drill three development wells offsetting Amoun NE-1X and test two nearby exploratory plays and several additional prospects on the ridge’s southern flank later in 2013.
Amoun NE-1X went to 14,028 ft on the Khalda Development Lease 2 miles east of Shams field. Besides the 101 ft of Jurassic Safa pay tests, the well encountered 50 ft of oil pay in three Cretaceous Alam el Buieb-3 sands.
Apache also reported success at the WD 33 Development Lease acquired in 2010.
Apache’s exploratory and development drilling on WD 33 in the Abu Gharadig basin began in late 2012, and the recently completed WD 33-5, which cost $3.65 million to drill and complete, tested at 2,324 b/d of oil and 600 Mcfd of gas from the Abu Roash E reservoir. As many as five more locations may be required for full development, and three exploratory wells are planned in the area this year.
Also in the Abu Gharadig basin, the Karama-15 well on the Karama Development Lease test-flowed 2,136 b/d of oil with original reservoir pressure in the Abu Roash G reservoir along the western flank of Karama field. The Karama-15, which cost $2.1 million, confirmed as many as seven more drilling locations. Karama field was Apache’s first discovery in the Abu Gharadig basin in 2001.
