TotalFinaElf find expands Bolivian block gas reserves

TotalFinaElf SA Tuesday announced the discovery of further gas reserves on block XX Tarija West in southern Bolivia. It said the recently completed Itau X-2 delineation well penetrated Upper, Middle and Lower Devonian formations, including the deep Santa Rosa formation, a structure untapped by the earlier Itau X-1 discovery well.

Feb. 14, 2001

By the OGJ Online Staff

LONDON, Feb. 13�TotalFinaElf SA Tuesday announced the discovery of further gas reserves on block XX Tarija West in southern Bolivia.

It said the recently completed Itau X-2 delineation well penetrated Upper, Middle and Lower Devonian formations, including the deep Santa Rosa formation, a structure not tapped by the earlier Itau X-1 discovery well.

During testing, the Huamampampa reservoir interval flowed at 800,000 cu m/day of gas and 600 b/d of condensate on a 40/64-in. choke, while the Santa Rosa formation tested at 1 million cu m/day of gas and 350 b/d of condensate on a 48/64-in. choke.

Located 5 km south of Itau X-1, the delineation well "expands the gas potential" of Tarija West, the operator said.

TotalFinaElf has a 15% stake in the neighboring San Alberto and San Antonio blocks, where gas resources are under development. Phase 1 production of 6.6 million cu m/day of gas for the Brazilian market began on San Alberto in early January.

The interest holders on the block are TotalFinaElf 41%, ExxonMobil Corp. 34%, and BG PLC's Bolivian unit 25%.