Kazakhstan: Tethys to test Carboniferous at Kalypso

Tethys Petroleum Ltd. plans to test Carboniferous shelf limestones at its KBD01 Kalypso exploratory well on the Kul-Bas block 50 km northwest of the Doris oil discovery in the North Ustyurt basin in Kazakhstan.

Electric logs indicate more than 100 m of gross potential hydrocarbon-bearing zones in what are interpreted to be Carboniferous shelf limestones.

The nearest field that produces from similar Carboniferous shelf limestones is OAO Lukoil’s Alibekmola field, 250 km north in the North Caspian basin subsalt (OGJ Online, Oct. 10, 2005). Tethys said It is likely that the limestone interval will require acidizing and possibly fracture stimulation to achieve optimal production.

Tethys will run 7-in. liner to test the deep potential and other hydrocarbon indications noted on logs and drill data in the overlying Jurassic section. Testing requires approvals that could take 2 months with test equipment to be mobilized thereafter.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Kazakhstan the AKD06 Doris oil appraisal well is drilling at 1,755 m towards the Aptian sandstone target.