Texaco Exploration & Production Inc.'s initial tests show its Gemini subsalt gas/condensate discovery in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico is commercial.
The company last week disclosed a combined gauge of 54 MMcfd of gas and 4,405 b/d of condensate from two zones in the strike, drilled in 3,393 ft of water on Mississippi Canyon Block 292, about 90 miles southeast of New Orleans.
Clarence P. Cazalot Jr., president of Texaco E&P, called the strike "a major subsalt discovery."
Texaco 60% and Gemini partner Chevron U.S.A. Production Co. 40% have formed a team to plan appraisal drilling, which will begin early next year, and to explore options for development.
Gemini, classed by Texaco as "an exceptionally well imaged subsalt prospect," is one of three Gulf of Mexico deepwater discoveries disclosed by Texaco last year.
Well tests
The company recently reentered Gemini's 17,976 ft discovery well for tests of two of several hydrocarbon zones.
The first zone flowed as much as 22 MMcfd of gas and 3,778 b/d of 46.5° gravity condensate through a 36/64 in. choke with 3,892 psi flowing tubing pressure. Engineering analysis showed that, without capacity limits of test equipment, the well could flow as much as 50 MMcfd and 7,700 b/d.
The second zone flowed up to 32 MMcfd of gas and 627 b/d of 52.6° gravity condensate through a 48/64 in. choke with 2,225 psi tubing pressure. This zone is capable of producing as much as 80 MMcfd and 1,500 b/d.
John W. McDonald, Texaco E&P offshore division manager , said, "The Gemini discovery utilizes a combination of vertical cable and conventional 3D seismic as well as prestack depth migration processing techniques. This state of the art technology provides the team with clearer subsurface imaging that greatly enhances our understanding of the reservoirs."
Texaco was a successful bidder on 105 deepwater tracts at last April's federal lease sale in the gulf (OGJ, May 6, p. 40). Six of the new leases offset the Gemini discovery.
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