Talisman, Ecopetrol make second heavy oil find on Colombia’s Block CPO-9

Nov. 24, 2014
A unit of Talisman Energy Inc., Calgary, and Colombia’s Ecopetrol SA gauged a heavy oil discovery with the Nueva Esperanza-1 exploratory well (A2b), which was drilled on Block CPO-9, in Meta, Colombia.

A unit of Talisman Energy Inc., Calgary, and Colombia’s Ecopetrol SA gauged a heavy oil discovery with the Nueva Esperanza-1 exploratory well (A2b), which was drilled on Block CPO-9, in Meta, Colombia.

The well was spudded on July 18 and reached total depth at 12,056 ft on Sept. 26. During an initial 8-day flow test using an electro-submersible pumping system, 309 ft of perforations in the T2 formation stabilized at a flow rate of 910 b/d of 8° gravity crude oil with less than 2% water cut during the last day of flow.

Talisman and Ecopetrol are jointly analyzing the results and will file an application with the Colombian authorities to place the well on long-term test. Approval has been granted to drill two down-dip appraisal wells, the first of which, Nueva Esperanza-2, started drilling on Nov. 16.

Nueva Esperanza-1 is the second oil discovery made by Talisman and Ecopetrol on Block CPO-9, following the discovery of hydrocarbons in the Akacias structure in 2010 (OGJ Online, Dec. 1, 2010). In accordance with Colombian regulations, the partners declared commerciality of Akacias field in December 2013 and currently await receipt of a development license.

The Nueva Esperanza structure is adjacent to, and along the same structural trend as, Akacias field. Additional exploration wells along the continuation of this trend are planned.

Ecopetrol is operator of Block CPO-9 with a 55% interest and Talisman (Colombia) Oil & Gas Ltd. has a 45% interest in the license.