Unexpected lack of oil flow to surface – despite good fracturing & oil shows. On the 17th June 2024 – Melbana Energy Limited (ASX:MAY) reported a well test of the lowest reservoir section of the Alameda 3 well in Block 9 PSC, onshore Cuba about 140 km east of the capital, Havana. MAY has a 30% interest and is the licence operator.
Key facts
MAY successfully set 4.5-inch slotted liner in the lowest Marti Reservoir. The open flow was from 3642-3880 mMD measured depth. Drill stem testing was conducted over a 6-day period and included shut-in and flow sequences.
- Natural flows did not reach the surface, yet oil contaminated with drilling fluid was recovered on reverse circulation and samples obtained.
- The inconclusive result was despite indications of significant reservoir fracturing, confirmed high pressure reservoir and presence of oil with the absence of formation water. These are normally all highly encouraging signs. Extra information from downhole pressure recorders and laboratory tests for oil quality data may shed further light on whether to pursue re-entering and re-testing the Marti Reservoir, over coming weeks.
- MAY stated the two attempts to flow the well may have been compromised by the inability to remove all heavy drilling mud. This could have emulsified oil with mud making it heavy/sluggish to flow as no mechanical issue was detected to impede flows.Cracking the downhole chemistry could unlock a resource.
Next activity – Flow testing of the overlying Alameda Formation
- MAY will isolate and suspend the lower Marti formation for possible later re-entry following investigations.
- To move higher to the Middle Sheet Alameda Formation and conduct 2 or 3 flow tests. MAY had previously drilled, logged this section and have high-graded particular zones to test. The inconclusive flow test of the Marti Reservoir is disappointing, though full explanation may yet reveal it to be a zone of potential commercial significance. We await further data and now look to Alameda Formation flow tests. Importantly, MAY designed the well to be completed from the best zone – in either the Marti or Alameda formations.
Additionally, MAY is currently preparing for extended flow testing of the Unit1B of Alameda-2 as prelude to commercial production in Cuba. On success case, Reserves backed funding can enable multiplied output growth.
We also seek a timeline for EOG’s drilling an Australian billion boe prospect which MAY has royalty interest. In addition MAY has potential to...
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