Exploration/Development Briefs

Nov. 18, 2013

Brazil

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. and Dolphin Geophysical will shoot a multiclient 3D survey designed to image presalt plays in the Campos basin offshore Brazil.

The 5,000 sq km Olho de Boi survey is to be shot northeast of the Pao de Acucar discovery in an area of similar structural and stratigraphic characteristics.

TGS-NOPEC said it conducted considerable geologic review and reprocessing of existing 2D data to ensure strategic placement of the survey in a highly prospective area in the Campos basin.

TGS-NOPEC will process the data acquired by the M/V Sanco Swift using proprietary broadband technology and make data available to clients in last quarter 2014.

Madagascar

ExxonMobil Corp. affiliates will resume work in preparation for deepwater exploratory drilling after Madagascar formalized extensions to three production sharing contract licenses.

The affiliates intend to resume exploratory and environmental work for shore-based and offshore operations on the Ampasindava, Majunga, and Cap St. Andre licenses.

ExxonMobil Exploration & Production (Northern Madagascar) Ltd. operates Ampasindava with 70% interest. Sterling Energy holds 30% interest.

ExxonMobil E&P Madagascar Majunga Ltd. operates Majunga with 50% interest. BG International holds 30%, Petrovietnam E&P 10%, and SK Innovation 10%.

ExxonMobil E&P Madagascar Ltd. has 100% interest in Cap St. Andre.

Seismic contractors TGS and BGP have begun shooting multiclient 2D seismic, gravity, and magnetic surveys offshore northwestern Madagascar utilizing the M/V Challenger vessel.

The MAJ-13 and MS-14 surveys will add 7,025 km of new 2D seismic data to extend and infill the existing 33,315 km of 2D data previously acquired by TGS in the region.

TGS will process the data using broadband processing technology. Final data will be available to clients from the third quarter of 2014.

Norway

Lundin Petroleum AB, Stockholm, said its Norwegian affiliate has completed the Johan Sverdrup 16/3-7 appraisal well in the southeastern part of PL501 offshore Norway.

The well encountered 50 m of gross reservoir slightly deeper than expected. The reservoir consists of 14 m of excellent quality sandstone of late Jurassic age and 36 m of dolomitic carbonates of Permian age with good reservoir properties.

The well showed a good common water gradient in both the sandstone and carbonates, demonstrating good communication between the two reservoirs. The oil-water contact was not proven, but oil and water were sampled in the uppermost part of the reservoir, at 1,925 m below mean sea level, which indicates an oil-water contact close to this level and that the well was positioned near the edge of the field. Total depth is 2,075 m.

The wellsite is at the southeastern flank of the Johan Sverdrup find 3 km southeast of the 16/3-5 well and 4 km southwest of the 16/3-2 wildcat.

The Bredford Dolphin semi will now drill the 16/5-5 appraisal well in PL410, also operated by Lundin Norway. PL501 interests are Lundin Norway AS and Statoil Petroleum AS 40% each and Maersk Oil Norway AS 20%.

Texas-West

Diamondback Energy Inc., Midland, Tex., said its Digger 601H well in Andrews County, Tex., tested at a 24-hr rate of 611 boe/d, 87% oil, from a 7,541-ft lateral in the Clearfork shale.

Since being placed on production in early September, the Permian basin well's oil rate has increased, reaching the maximum of 611 boe/d on Oct. 15.

Travis Stice, Diamondback chief executive officer, said, "This well has demonstrated a different production profile than our typical horizontal Wolfcamp B wells that tend to peak much earlier in the initial flowback period."

The well was completed for $6.8 million, with 30 frac stages using a slickwater stimulation technique and is currently producing on an electric submersible pump.

"Further testing will be required to validate reserve estimates, but the results so far are encouraging," Stice added.