Amoco: Nile Delta world class gas play

Amoco Corp. has disclosed test results of its latest Nile Delta exploration well, which it says proves an eastern extension of a play that is building into a major strategic area for the company. The Tao-1 wildcat was drilled on Egypt's North Sinai block, 35 miles offshore in 190 ft of water. Amoco is 100% holder of the license and claims to be the largest acreage holder on the Nile Delta. The well flowed 37.9 MMcfd of gas on test from a 39-ft pay zone said to be representative of five in a

Feb. 24, 1997

2 min read

Amoco Corp. has disclosed test results of its latest Nile Delta exploration well, which it says proves an eastern extension of a play that is building into a major strategic area for the company.

The Tao-1 wildcat was drilled on Egypt's North Sinai block, 35 miles offshore in 190 ft of water. Amoco is 100% holder of the license and claims to be the largest acreage holder on the Nile Delta.

The well flowed 37.9 MMcfd of gas on test from a 39-ft pay zone said to be representative of five in a total of about 500 ft of productive sands. Total measured depth of this directional well was 8,925 ft.

Play extended

Denis Mascardelli, vice-president for exploration at Amoco Egypt, said, "One of the key findings of this well is that it extends the Pliocene gas trend further towards the edge of the Nile Delta basin (see map, OGJ, Aug. 26, 1996, p. 61).

"The trend is now confirmed to extend from the Amoco-operated Ha'py field on Ras El Barr concession approximately 60 miles southeastwards to Tao-1 well.

"All indications are that this trend will continue to the east, where Amoco holds a 50% working interest in the adjacent block."

Amoco plans to drill another well on the North Sinai block soon. This will be Kamose-1 well, which will also target the Pliocene formation. The company plans to drill further Pliocene prospects this year.

Mascardelli said the number and thickness of pay sands in Tao-1 well increase optimism for chances of further Pliocene gas discoveries in the area: "Test results from this well indicate outstanding deliverability from the zone tested, which is similar in quality to other zones encountered."

Amoco and Agip SpA have made most of the 21 offshore discoveries during 5 years on the Nile Delta, and Amoco has said the play may prove to be world scale.

The company said it is pressing development plans for the various discoveries, although it declined to give an estimate of reserves discovered to date.

In November 1996, Amoco signed a memorandum of understanding with Egyptian and Turkish authorities for development of liquefied natural gas exports from the Nile Delta to Turkey.

The company is also considering options for sending gas by pipeline to other markets in the region.