Maha Energy has announced the initial and preliminary results from the production test on Block 70 in the Sultanate of Oman. The tests were performed on the 'Alpha pad' on wells (i) Mafraq-9, (ii) Mafraq-7, (iii) Mafraq-10 and (iv) Mafraq-8.
a) Mafraq-9 well, the first well connected to the production test facilities, flowed at a rate between 300-350 barrels of oil per day with a water cut of about 5%;
b) This was followed by testing of Mafraq-7 which encountered startup issues and was shut-in for the moment to be re-evaluated;
c) Mafraq-10 reached an estimated production of 430 barrels of oil per day with about 10% water cut before the test ended;
d) And Mafraq-8 that reached an estimated production of 600 barrels of oil per day with a water cut below 5%;
The oil produced during the testing phase is heavy oil of 11-13 degrees API, with viscosity higher than pre-testing estimates. In order to get the oil to meet trucking and processing specifications for third party’s facilities, different thermal and chemical treatment options are being applied by Maha with various service providers with experience and capabilities in heavy oil processing.
The preliminary flow rates and water cut rates are encouraging and once the required specifications are achieved, the oil produced during the testing phase will be transported by heated trucks to a third party’s facilities for further processing and, afterwards, transportation through the Omani national pipeline system.
Wells will continue to be added to the test until all eight new production wells have been tested and data gathered. Each well is completed with a PCP pump. The drilling program on Block 70 has continued as per plan in the second quarter 2023 with drilling of production, exploration and appraisal wells.
Maha is the Operator of Block 70 with 65% working interest, with Mafraq Energy holds the remaining 35%.
Background
According to info on the Maha nergy web site (Investor Presentation (18 January 2023)
- Maha entered Block 70 in October 2020 as operator with 100% WI
- Block 70 is located close to other major established oil fields, and contains the Mafraq oil discovery from 1988
- Mafraq is de-risked through extensive seismic data and a total of five wells drilled pre-2020, including a production test
- Planning a phased development approach, with an initial committed work program of 11 wells plus seismic reprocessing, equivalent to USD ~20 million. Five wells have been drilled to date with drilling ongoing
- Maha signed an agreement to farm out 35% WI to Mafraq Energy
Source: Maha Energy / energy-pedia
