Tap Oil finds gas, oil with Mawar wildcat in Brunei
Eric Watkins
OGJ Oil Diplomacy Editor
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14 -- Tap Oil Ltd. said initial results of its Mawar-1 wildcat, which was drilled on onshore Block M in the Baram Delta basin in Brunei, show natural gas was encountered in the primary Ridan objective and that oil is indicated farther down.
“Preliminary interpretation of wireline, pressure, and sampling data suggests gas has been encountered in the primary Ridan objective while oil is indicated by data at deeper levels,” Tap said.
The Australian exploration and production company said Mawar-1 had reached total depth of 1,292 m MD and wireline logging, pressure, and fluid sampling had been completed. Casing is now being run across the hydrocarbon zones prior to suspending Mawar-1.
The firm said preliminary interpretation of these results indicates Mawar-1 encountered gas in primary objective Ridan sandstone. It said preliminary log analysis suggests Mawar-1 encountered up to 25 m of Ridan reservoir at a depth of 1,005 m MD.
“The presence of gas in this interval is indicated by pressure analysis and sampling,” Tap said, adding that the thickness and quality of the Ridan Sandstone “is poorer than expected pre-drill.”
A deeper secondary objective Rampayoh Series also had good hydrocarbon indications in cuttings and sidewall cores in an inter-bedded sand-shale sequence. Fluid samples have been taken at 1,040 m MD and 1,048.6 m MD.
“These samples remain sealed for laboratory analysis, but indications are that they contain oil,” Tap said. Reservoir quality in the upper part of the Rampayoh Series is “unclear” and will only be confirmed with further analysis of the well data, it said.
“Once the analysis of all the data has been completed Tap will be able issue more definitive statement regarding the potential of the Mawar-1 well,” the firm said.
Block M covers an area of 3,011 sq km in the Baram Delta basin and is the largest onshore permit in Brunei. Block M participants include operator Tap Energy (Borneo) Pty. Ltd. 39%, Triton Borneo Ltd. 36%, China Sino Oil Co. Ltd. 21%, and Jana Corp. Sdn. Bhd. 4%.
Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].