Caracal Energy Inc., Calgary, said oil production began from Badila field in southern Chad on Sept. 30 and as of Nov. 6 was being pumped through a pipeline at a rate of 5,100 b/d.
Caracal, working with farmee GlencoreXstrata PLC and state Soc. des Hydrocarbures du Tchad, said it will use the cash flow from production to further develop the company's three production-sharing contract areas and an exploration program (OGJ Online, June 17, 2013).
As of Sept. 30, consulting engineers estimated gross proved, probable, and possible oil reserves in Mangara, Badila, Kibea, and Krim fields at 374 million bbl. Kibea field has no proved reserves as yet.
Caracal has the right to monetize gas volumes and is assessing future market potential, but no reserves have been attributed to gas or natural gas liquids volumes.
Pipeline fill should be completed during December, Caracal said. Under agreements reached with the owners of the Chad-Cameroon export pipeline, Caracal expects transportation fees to Kribi, Cameroon, to total $6-8/bbl.
The companies have drilled the Badila-4 and 5 wells. The Mangara-5 development well went to 3,339 m and was completed in Cretaceous C and D sands. Caracal will spud Mangara-6 this month to test the areal extent of the E sands on the field's west side.
Natural flow from the E sands at Mangara-5 was 1,917 b/d at 160 psi flowing wellhead pressure. The well made more than 1,450 bbl in 53 hr. Field sampling estimates indicate oil of 35-39° gravity and a producing gas-oil ratio of 100 scf/stb. The group estimates that 1,500-2,500 b/d could be achieved on an electric submersible pump.
More recently, testing of the C interval reached a maximum natural flow rate of 3,200 b/d.
Exploratory work continues
Meanwhile, the group's first exploratory well, Krim-1 on the DOB/DOI PSC, went to 3,332 m. Initial tests of the E sands yielded a maximum natural flow rate of 2,580 b/d of 34-37° gravity oil at 120 psi flowing wellhead pressure. Producing gas-oil ratio is 100 scf/stb. Rates of 3,000-4,500 b/d area achievable on an ESP, the group estimated.
In the current quarter the group plans to spud the Bitanda exploratory well and will shoot 250 line-km of 2D seismic on the DOB and DOI blocks to mature leads and prospects.
On the expansive Doseo/Borogop PSC east of Badila and Mangara fields, Caracal will drill one appraisal well and seven exploratory wells by yearend 2014 (see map, OGJ, June 12, 2012, p. 44). It also will shoot 455 sq km of 3D seismic over Kibea field, 460 km east of Badila, 253 sq km of 3D over Maku field, 280 km east of Badila, and 1,250 line-km of 2D to mature leads and prospects.
On the DOH PSC, 80 km east of Badila, Caracal is reprocessing 2D seismic and plans drill two exploratory wells in 2014. Caracal noted that it has been officially listed as a supporting company of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a global standard that promotes revenue transparency and provides a robust methodology for monitoring and reconciling company payments and government revenues at the country level.
