Shell Egypt tests high flows from Jurassic discovery in Western Desert

Nov. 5, 2001

Apache Corp. said Monday the JG-1X discovery in Egypt's Northeast Abu Gharadig Concession tested at the rate of 4,190 b/d of oil and 5 MMcfd of gas.

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Nov. 5 -- Apache Corp., Houston, said Monday the JG-1X discovery in Egypt's Northeast Abu Gharadig Concession tested at 4,190 b/d of oil and 5 MMcfd of gas.

The Western Desert wildcat was tested on a 48/64-in. choke with 1,171 psi of flowing wellhead pressure. It was perforated between 10,497 ft and 10,517 ft in the Khatatba sand.

The JG-1X is the first Jurassic sand oil discovery in this area of Abu Gharadig basin. Operator Shell Egypt, a subsidiary of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, has identified several potential offset locations.

Apache said the JG-1X discovery will be put on production quickly because field facilities operated by a Shell joint venture are nearby. The discovery well is less than 2 miles from existing oil pipelines.

Rodney Eichler, Apache's regional vice-president and general manager in Egypt, said, "This prolific area of the Abu Gharadig basin contains four of the larger fields in the Western Desert, each with reserves in the range of 100 million boe."

Shell Egypt has a 52% interest and Apache 48% of the 2.4-million-acre Northeast Abu Gharadig Concession.