Genel to spud appraisal well in Kurdistan

Genel Energy, London, will spud in the first half next year a well 10 km northwest of a well that tested light oil in 2011 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Oct. 28, 2019
2 min read

Genel Energy, London, will spud in the first half next year a well 10 km northwest of a well that tested light oil in 2011 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

The Parker Drilling 269 rig will drill the QD-2 well on the Qara Dagh block, where the Niko Resources QD-1 well confirmed the presence of an active petroleum system but failed to establish commercial rates (OGJ Online, Aug. 15, 2011).

The QD-1 will test the structural crest.

Genel Energy acquired a 40% equity interest in the appraisal block and became operator through a carry arrangement with Chevron Corp., which acquired the block in 2013 after Niko and partners relinquished it.

According to Genel, the vertical QD-1 well encountered the reservoir much deeper than was expected. Despite reservoir damage from overbalanced drilling, the well tested light oil from Cretaceous fractured carbonates.

Genel said reevaluation of the structural model based on new 2D seismic data and field work indicates that the well was drilled on the southeastern flank of the prospect.

The QD-2 well will be a deviated hole targeting the reservoir tested by the QD-1. The well might use managed-pressure drilling.

Other interests in the Qara Dagh production sharing contract are Chevron, 40%, and the Kurdistan Regional Government, 20%.

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