Afpenn Exploration, a subsidiary of Afpenn Resources, U.K., has launched an exploration program for coalbed methane in Zimbabwe.
Afpenn, a Zimbabwean company located in Bulawayo, has four leases totaling 2 million acres that cover a majority of the country's coal bearing regions.
The exploration program, financed by the European Investment Bank, will begin with an integrated exploration program to high-grade areas of enhanced permeability through the application of remote sensing techniques, aeromagnetics, and tectonic modeling. After optimum well locations are chosen, one test will is to be drilled on each lease to gather critical reservoir properties such as permeability and gas content to assess the commercial feasibility of each lease for gas production.
Advanced Resources International Inc., Arlington, Va., will provide technical support to the Afpenn project.
"Based on a previous coring program, we have known for several years that the Zimbabwean coal seams are quite thick and gassy; however, the producibility and magnitude of the gas resource have remained unknown," said Jon Kelafant, ARI project manager.
"With this project we will be able to determine and demonstrate the commercial feasibility of coalbed methane production in the country."
The exploration program started in October and is scheduled for completion in April 1995. Provided a favorable area is delineated during the exploration phase, a five well pilot project will be implemented to-demonstrate commercial production. The produced methane will be used as feedstock for a fertilizer plant and power generation.
Copyright 1994 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
Issue date: 11/07/94
