Carin Energy found oil samples in the FAN-1 exploration well offshore Senegal, according to joint venture partner, FAR Ltd.
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| FAN-1 and SNE-1 in 3D seismic. From Far. |
FAR says elevated gas and fluorescence were encountered in a shallow secondary target and the presence of oil was confirmed by an intermediate logging program. The oil samples from thin sand were collected by an MDT wireline formation tester for further analysis. Well data confirms the existence of a working petroleum system.
The FAN-1 well reached a depth of 4402m where intermediate casing has been set. The plan is to drill to approximately 5000m. FAR doesn’t expect to have conclusive results until drilling operations are complete and well data is fully assessed.
FAN-1 is the first exploration well in a two well program, in which the wells will be drilled back to back. The first well is on the North Fan prospect in 1500m water depth and will be immediately followed by a second exploration well targeting a shelf edge prospect in 1100m of water depth.
FAR says that the presence of oil in the secondary target is important in helping the geological understanding of the margin and is significant because it confirms the existence of a working petroleum generating system.
Drilling is set to be complete during September 2014 at which time the rig will be moved to the SNE-1 well location; the second well of the two-well program off Senegal.
FAR and joint venture partners say that the FAN-1 well is a pure exploration well. It’s designed to test a stacked fan structure with the potential to contain approximately 900MMbbl with approximately 15MMbbl net. SNE-1 will be drilled on the shelf targeting approximately 600MMbbl with approximately 90MMbbl net.
The two wells are the first deepwater wells to be drilled in Senegalese waters and the first offshore wells to be drilled in more than 20 years. FAN-1 and SNE-1 will test combined prospective resources of approximately 1.5 billion barrels of unrisked prospective resources.
Should the well prove to be successful, it will not be completed as a commercial production well. The joint venture may decide to conduct further drilling and evaluation activities.
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| Schematic diagram showing drilling progress offshore Senegal (not to scale). From Far |
In June, the JV reported the FAN-1 exploration well was delayed for maintenance work and to modify the drilling program. Drilling resumed on 28 July in 1500m water depth.
The well was spud in April using the Transocean semisubmersible Cajun Express.
Cairn Energy is the operator and holds a 40% interest with joint venture partners ConocoPhillips (35%), Far (15%) and Petrosen (10%).
Read more:
Cairn's Senegal drilling delayed
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