Eni Vietnam plans additional drilling and testing of the 2019 Ken Bau discovery after exploration well Ken Bau-2X in the Song Hong basin offshore Vietnam confirmed a significant hydrocarbon accumulation, further expanding the discovery’s potential (OGJ Online, July 24, 2019).
Ken Bau 2X was drilled in Block 114, 2 km from the discovery well in 95 m of water depth to a total depth of 3,658 m subsea. It encountered pay in excess of 110 m in several intervals of Miocene sandstones interbedded with shale.
Two mini drill stem tests (DST) were conducted, coupled with an extensive data acquisition campaign comprising fluid sampling, Eni said. Preliminary estimates of Ken Bau accumulation are 7-9 tcf of raw gas in place with 400–500 million bbl of associated condensates. The well will be plugged.
Eni Vietnam operates 5,900-sq-km Block 114 with a 50% interest, which it acquired from Essar E&P in 2012. Essar retains 50%.
Also in the Song Hong basin, in neighboring Block 116, Eni Vietnam plans new drilling and seismic activity as operator with 100% interest.
Ken Bau discovery could potentially provide a fast-track solution to meet the increasing energy demand in Vietnam, Eni said.