Maurel & Prom discovers gas at Hechicero 1X on Sinú 9 block, Colombia
Maurel & Prom SA has made a gas discovery on Sinú‑9 block in Colombia, confirming gas across multiple intervals. The operator expects to bring the well into production in the coming days.
The Hechicero‑1X well was spudded Feb. 24 and drilled to a total depth of 8,500 ft MD on Mar. 28. Electric logs confirmed gas across several intervals within the Ciénaga de Oro (CDO) formation, the primary target, with 288 ft of net pay, the operator said in a release Apr. 28.
Additional gas‑bearing reservoirs were identified in the shallower Porquero formation and the deeper Pre‑CDO–San Cayetano interval, with net pay of 149 ft and 103 ft, respectively.
Partner NG Energy International Corp., in a separate release Apr. 28, said results are consistent with the Magico‑1X and Brujo‑1X wells.
Hechicero‑1X was completed to allow selective production from five CDO intervals and the Pre‑CDO–San Cayetano interval. Initial tests conducted Apr. 24 on the Pre‑CDO–San Cayetano interval delivered an instantaneous rate of 26.4 MMcfd at 1,800 psi wellhead pressure through a restricted 43/128‑in. choke.
Maurel & Prom plans to bring the well on stream from the Pre‑CDO–San Cayetano interval using existing infrastructure tied into Colombia’s national transportation system.
The rig will next move to Magico‑2X, the second well in the six‑well exploration campaign.
NG Energy chief executive officer Jorge Fonseca said the Pre‑CDO–San Cayetano discovery expands the gas potential of the Sinú‑9 block beyond the primary CDO target. He said current infrastructure capacity is expected to be filled by Hechicero‑1X and existing producers, with capacity set to expand.
INFRAES is constructing a twin pipeline, with the initial 18-km loop from Jobo along the existing right-of-way expected to be completed by end-May 2026, increasing transportation capacity at Sinu-9 to 40 MMcf/d.
Maurel & Prom operates Sinú‑9 with 61% working interest as of January 2026. NG Energy holds the remaining 39% non‑operating interest.
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Mikaila Adams
Managing Editor, Content Strategist
Mikaila Adams has 20 years of experience as an editor, most of which has been centered on the oil and gas industry. She enjoyed 12 years focused on the business/finance side of the industry as an editor for Oil & Gas Journal's sister publication, Oil & Gas Financial Journal (OGFJ). After OGFJ ceased publication in 2017, she joined Oil & Gas Journal and was later named Managing Editor - News. Her role has expanded into content strategy. She holds a degree from Texas Tech University.