
Maha Energy has announced that the production test on Block 70, in the Sultanate of Oman, has commenced. The production test will include all eight new production wells drilled in the 2022/2023 drilling program.
The production test will start with the Mafraq-9 well. Bi-weekly, a new well will be added to the test until all new wells are connected to the testing system. Each well will be completed with PCP pumps before being placed on the test. Produced oil will be transported by heated trucks to a third party’s facilities for further processing and, afterwards, transportation through the Omani national pipeline system. Maha expects to be able to announce preliminary information about the quality of the oil and initial production potential by May 2023.
As previously reported, Maha entered into a Joint Operating Agreement with Mafraq Energy earlier in 2023, whereby Mafraq Energy acquired 35% interest in the exploration and production sharing agreement covering Block 70. Maha is the Operator of Block 70 with 65% interest.
Block 70
According to info on the Maha Energy web site:
Block 70 is an onshore block that includes the shallow undeveloped Mafraq heavy oil field. The Block is located in the middle of the prolific oil producing Ghaba Salt Basin in the central part of Oman. The Mafraq oil field was discovered by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in 1988 and was further delineated by four wells and 3D seismic in stages until 2010. Two wells were placed on pump production tests, of which one was placed on an extended test in order to prove long term productivity.
The Block covers an area of 639 km2 and is covered by both 2D and 3D seismic data that has been acquired by previous operators has been made available to Maha.
8 wells have been drilled within the block boundary, 5 of which are on the Mafraq oil field.
Source: Maha Energy