Marrakesh- Gulfsands Petroleum has confirmed a natural gas discovery at the Lalla Yetou Updip-1 well, located within the Rharb Centre permit in northern Morocco. The well has been successfully drilled to a total depth of 1,182 meters allowing gas to flow to the surface.
Marrakesh- Gulfsands Petroleum has confirmed a natural gas discovery at the Lalla Yetou Updip-1 well, located within the Rharb Centre permit in northern Morocco. The well has been successfully drilled to a total depth of 1,182 meters allowing gas to flow to the surface.
The LTU-1 well is currently being monitored for pressure build-up, after which it will be temporarily suspended as a future gas producer. Drilling operations on LTU-1 commenced on 20 June and the well was drilled to the planned total depth of 1,182 metres on 1 July. Elevated gas readings were obtained while drilling, indicating the presence of a gas bearing reservoir of 12 meters gross thickness at the pre-drill target interval depth.
Within one hour after commencing the clean-up flow period, the well had unloaded the completion fluids and was producing 100% gas to surface and with 0% bulk solids and water. The estimated flow rate for the well, based on empirical calculation methods, was approximately 6.6 mmscfpd on a 28/64-inch choke. After completing the 12 hour clean-up flow period, the well was shut in for pressure build-up observations. The drilling rig will be released from the LTU-1 location, and the LTU-1 well will be temporarily suspended as a future gas producer.
Chief executive Mahdi Sajjad said: “We are very pleased with the successful results achieved in the LTU-1 well. This well is the first well location to be drilled following our interpretation of seismic data acquired in the recently completed Rharb 3D seismic programme which we hope will provide a firm foundation for further drilling successes on this permit.”
Last May, he Canadian company Longreach’s Kamar-1 well reported substantial natural gas resource potential at Sidi Moktar in Morocco.
According to 2006 Oil and Gas journal survey Morocco has proven natural gas reserves of 60 billion cubic feet. Small amounts of natural gas have been found in the Essaouira and Gharb basins.
