Georgia Republic
An analysis of its Block X in the former Soviet republic has identified a number of drillable prospects, said Ramco Energy PLC.
It expects to begin drilling the Ziari prospect in November and finish by yearend. The well is expected to cost $1.5 million.
India
Cairn Energy PLC plans to start appraisal drilling this month at its Lakshmi gas discovery in the Cambay basin.
The CB-A-1 discovery well drilled in April on Block CB-OS/2 off Gujarat flowed a stabilized 28.1 MMcfd of dry, sweet gas on a 56/64-in. choke with 734 psi flowing wellhead pressure from 805-860 m. The well cut multiple pay zones at 760-1,270 m. A repeat formation test tool recovered gas samples from 4 zones and oil samples from 2 zones.
Estimated mean reserve was 400 bcf for the structure, between Hazira and North Tapti gas fields. Cairn, with 75% interest on the block, also plans to resume exploring the block in fourth quarter 2000 with as many as four wells.
Cairn began a comprehensive program to acquire 1,000 km of 2D infill seismic data across the Rajasthan basin in northwestern India and 200 sq km over the structural trend of the Guda oil discovery.
Exploratory drilling was to start in first half 2001. The block's western boundary is about 100 km from the Pakistan border.
Shell India Production and Development BV and Cairn drilled two wells on Block RJ-ON-90/1 in 1999. Guda A was plugged and abandoned with oil shows. Guda B flowed a stabilized 2,000 b/d of oil as the first discovery made in India by a non-Indian company since licensing rounds began.
Mississippi
Westfort Energy Ltd., Jackson, Miss., and Patterson Petroleum LP, Snyder, Tex., reached an agreement under which they plan to spud by Dec. 1 a 17,250 ft well to Jurassic Norphlet in Rankin County.
The drilling will be in Pelahatchie field, where the late geologist Harold Karges estimated the need for 14 or more wells to develop the Norphlet. The first well should also encounter additional productive zones in the Upper and Lower Cretaceous, Cotton Valley, Haynesville, and Smackover, Westfort said.