Pioneer tests Silurian oil in southern Tunisia

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Oct. 27 -- Pioneer Natural Resources Co., Dallas, completed three wells in southern Tunisia in the second and third quarters of 2010 and plans to drill two more appraisal wells by the end of this year.

The El Badr-3 and Cherouq-2 wells in the Cherouq concession and the Mona-1 well in the Anaguid exploration permit tested at a combined rate of 10,000 b/d of oil equivalent from Silurian sandstones.

Pioneer called Mona-1 a Silurian discovery that opens a number of exploration opportunities in Anaguid. Production from all three wells is expected to be flowing to sales by early 2011. Pioneer said it is selling 100% oil from Cherouq and Anaguid (see map, OGJ, July 2, 2007, p. 44).

The company said the completions are in large part a product of internal 3D seismic reprocessing that identified the three prospects and additional resource potential.

After the results of the two planned appraisal wells are known, a forward plan for Tunisia will be announced, Pioneer said. The company also said it is watching Ordovician and hot shale potential being assessed by other operators in the area (OGJ Online, Aug. 30, 2010).

The two planned appraisal wells are expected to bring net production in Tunisia to 8,000-9,000 boe/d by early 2011.

Pioneer is operator with 50% interest in Cherouq and will have a 30% interest in the operated concession derived from the Anaguid permit. Tunisia’s state ETAP will have a 50% interest in both concessions, and Medco will own 20% interest in the Anaguid concession.