gulfsands information

Gulfsands, ADX partner have just updated their Website projects with information regarding Tunisia and Italy,


Chorbane

The Sidi Dhaher-1 exploration well was spudded in late August, following substantial delays in deploying the rig to site because of the need to agree the logistics and secure the safe passage of the rig and its crew in the aftermath of the Tunisian revolution. The well was drilled to a depth of 2,011 m MD and wire-line logs acquired over a 1,012 m interval.

Formation

pressure measurements indicated the presence of a possible oil column commencing at a depth of 1,156 m MD within a late Cretaceous aged reservoir, and wireline fluid samples recovered yielded a mix of drilling mud filtrate and movable oil. The well was suspended pending testing and the rig released. A suitable test rig was secured in early 2012, and testing of the potential pay zone will commence imminently.

Plans for 2012

In the event of a commercial oil flow from the Sidi Dhaher-1 well, the Chorbane Joint Venture will move forward with rapid appraisal of the feature with the objective of early commercialisation of the field.

The likeliest scenarios involve immediate application for an extended well test period of at least 90 days duration in order to obtain production and reservoir performance information, acquisition and processing of 3D seismic data and drilling at least one appraisal well.

At a minimum, the Sidi Daher-1 well has demonstrated the existence of a working petroleum system on the western portion of the permit, reducing the exploration risk of follow-up prospects. Geological and geophysical studies and seismic data reprocessing will be undertaken to further evaluate the exploration potential of the block.

In the Kerkouane permit, pending satisfactory resolution of the discussions regarding the fiscal terms, plans for the first Dougga appraisal well will be put in place and drilling could commence as early as late 2012.