A total of 10 wells were completed during the 2Q 2012 on the Farha South field on Block 3 onshore Oman, Tethys Oil reported.
Of these, three wells were drilled into the Barik reservoir of previously undrilled fault blocks resulting in the discovery of three new oil bearing blocks. As of June 30, a total of 14 fault blocks are in production with more planned to be drilled later this year.
Five production wells were drilled and completed in previously drilled blocks to increase production and two water injections wells were drilled and completed. The drilling program continues with two rigs in operation. During the coming months, increased focus will be on exploration, with exploration wells also to be drilled in Block 4.
“The second quarter saw a 100% success rate when drilling new fault blocks. Out of three drilled three were found to be oil bearing. Again 3-D seismic proves to be the key to success,” said Tethys Managing Director Magnus Nordin. “We are hopeful that these new discoveries will have a material impact on our resources/reserve base, and we have asked our independent auditors DeGolyer and MacNaughton to make an updated audit as per June 30. We expect to announce this study in August.”
Tethys has a 30% interest in Block 3 and Block 4. Partners are Mitsui E&P Middle East B.V. with 20% and the operator CC Energy Development S.A.L. (Oman branch) holding the remaining 50%.
DNO International also provided a drilling and operations update on its activities in the Sultanate of Oman.
The company has completed drilling of the West Bukha-5 well in offshore Block 8 and is preparing to resume operations on the West Bukha-4 well whose top hole section was previously drilled. Results from the initial flow test of West Bukha-5 confirm the presence of oil in the Thamama reservoir, with an estimated flow capacity of 1,500-2,000 barrels per day.
Samples and measurements taken during the initial test flow period indicate an oil gravity of 35° API and a gas-oil ratio of 5,000 standard cubic feet/barrel.
West Bukha-5 is the first of a three well development drilling campaign in Block 8. Drilled to a total depth of 5,200 m (17,060 ft), including a 700 m (2,297ft) horizontal section with good fracture indications, West Bukha-5 is the deepest yet for the company in Oman.
Following completion of West Bukha-4, the Noble Roy Rhodes rig will move to drill a third well on the nearby Bukha gas condensate field.
As reported previously, during a routine pigging operation a blockage occurred in the 12-in pipeline connecting the West Bukha and Bukha platforms in late March. Efforts to clear the pipeline have been unsuccessful and a decision has been taken to replace a 4.3-km (2.7-mile) section of the blocked pipeline. Production from the shut-in West Bukha field is now expected to be restored within six weeks.
Prior to the blockage, the West Bukha field produced about 7,000 barrels per day of oil and liquids and about 25 million cubic feet per day of gas. Operations at the Bukha field have continued without interruption with daily deliveries of averaging over 20 million cubic feet of gas and 1,000 barrels of liquids.
The temporary halt in production from the West Bukha field will result in lower production volumes in the second and third quarter of the year.
