Americas Petrogas reported the La Hoya.x-1 well, which is the first Vaca Muerta shale vertical exploration well drilled in the Totoral Block, has been cased and cemented.
A full suite of logs and both conventional cores as well as sidewall cores have been acquired.
Production casing has been set to a total depth of approximately 1,970 m (6,463 ft). The well penetrated 203 m (666 ft) of the primary target Vaca Muerta formation with oil and gas shows through the whole shale column. Hydrocarbon shows were also encountered and data acquired in the Mulichinco at 91 m (299 ft) thick, Quintuco at 662 m (2,172 ft) thick, and Quebrada del Sapo at 58 m (190 ft) thick formations.
The company has begun detailed analysis of the cores and cuttings at international service company laboratories in Argentina. This is expected to reduce the time required to identify fracing and testing options for shale oil or shale gas reservoirs as well as other identified targets.
The Totoral block, of which Americas Petrogas is the operator and holds a 90% working interest, is approximately 1,069 sq km (423 sq miles).
“We are very excited about the oil and gas shows on this new play in the southern region of the Neuquen basin,” said Barclay Hambrook, the company’s president and CEO. “This well represents a major step towards de-risking a large area and adds significant value to our shale block portfolio.”
Recommended Reading
Petrobras to Step Up Exploration with $7.5B in Capex, CEO Says
2024-03-26 - Petrobras CEO Jean Paul Prates said the company is considering exploration opportunities from the Equatorial margin of South America to West Africa.
Commentary: The Oil and Gas Future—Believe It or Not
2024-01-10 - If you believe the IEA’s analysis, plenty of oil and gas companies won’t survive very far into the future.
E&P Highlights: March 15, 2024
2024-03-15 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including a new discovery and offshore contract awards.
Beach Town Corpus Christi Grows into America’s Top Energy Port
2024-01-16 - The Port of Corpus Christi is the U.S.’ largest energy export gateway and in terms of total revenue tonnage as increased midstream investments have opened export markets for the prolific Permian Basin.
Despite GoM Struggles, 2024 is Still Ripe for Offshore Rigs
2024-01-07 - Though industry experts are predicting 2024 to be a slow year for rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, there is plenty of opportunity for contracts to be awarded in other markets.