Pantheon Resources’ Dubhe-1 appraisal well in the Ahpun Field on the Alaska North Slope exceeded pre-drill estimates, confirming hydrocarbons in its primary target with additional upside in secondary horizons, the company said Aug. 18.
Drilled to a total measured depth of 12,833 ft, the well confirmed a gross 565-ft hydrocarbon-bearing column in the SMD-B primary target horizon. Compared to the nearby Pipeline State #1 discovery well, with consistent reservoir properties evident, Dubhe-1 exceeded a pre-drill estimate of 450-ft true vertical thickness (TVT) by 26% and the upper end of pre-drill estimates of up to 500 TVT by 13%, Pantheon said in a news release.
Additional hydrocarbon-bearing zones were found in the SMD-C zone and two slope fans.
Pantheon said it will determine the mix between oil, NGLs and gas after flow testing.
Erich Krumanocker, chief development officer for Pantheon, called the results a success.
“The well confirms the presence and quality of the oil and gas reservoirs in the Ahpun field, exceeding our pre-drill expectations,” Krumanocker said. “We are now transitioning toward field development planning in support of capital efficient commercial production. The upside presented by the SMD-C and Slope Fan zones highlights the enormous potential in our portfolio.”
The company said hydrocarbons were also identified in the Maastrichtian interval.
Pantheon plans to drill and then flow test a planned sidetrack lateral in the SMD-B horizon to refine the production well type curve. It is currently determining the optimum location to position the lateral section of the well within the 565-ft section of SMD-B horizon.
“Drilling of this lateral is expected to commence over the coming days,” Pantheon said. “In addition to the logs, cores, cuttings and other data collected in the pilot hole, data gathered from the drilling of this horizontal lateral will be further integrated into the analysis.”
Data is also being analyzed to determine hydraulic stimulation plans in the lateral.
Below is a compilation of some more global E&P news.
Exploration
Occidental, Chevron to Drill Deepest Well in Gulf—Reports
Occidental Petroleum and Chevron have partnered to drill the deepest well to date in the Gulf of America (GoA).
A Chevron spokesperson told Hart Energy that Bandit “is an Oxy-operated well” and deferred to Occidental, which did not respond to a request for comment.
The well, called Bandit, has a planned depth of more than 40,000 ft, according to reports by the Journal of Petroleum Technology and Offshore magazine.
Bandit is in the Constitution Field, approximately 200 miles southwest of New Orleans.
The well is expected to be situated in Green Canyon blocks 679 and 680, which produces oil from the Pliocene.
On average, successful wells in the Constitution Field have produced approximately 230 MMboe, but the wells also experienced very high-pressure conditions, the reports stated, citing Jamie Collard, an exploration research manager at Westwood Global Energy Group.
Collard suggested that the key risks for Bandit might be charge access and reservoir conductivity, according to the report.
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Field development
Agogo FPSO Begins 15-Year Charter Following Production Start
The 15-year charter for the Agogo FPSO offshore Angola has started after a provisional operational readiness certificate was issued Aug. 12, according to Yinson Production, which constructed the vessel.
The contract, between Yinson and Azule Energy— a 50:50 joint venture between BP and Eni—is valued at more than $5 billion and has options for annual extension of up to five years, Yinson said. The certificate was delivered after the FPSO achieved first oil July 29 about four months ahead of schedule. It is part of the Agogo Integrated West Hub, which also includes the Ndungu Field in Block 15/06 offshore Angola.
“This success once again highlights Yinson Production’s excellence in delivering complex projects on or even ahead of time and to the highest standards — providing our clients with certainty and creating long-term value,” Yinson Production CEO Flemming Guiducci Grønnegaard said. “As our first asset in Angola, the Agogo FPSO also marks an important expansion of our footprint in Africa and will positively contribute to Angola’s economic growth.”
Operated by Azule with partners Sonangol E&P and Sinopec International, the Agogo and Ndungu fields have combined estimated reserves of approximately 450 MMbbl. Projected peak production is 175,000 bbl/d via two FPSOs (Agogo and Ngoma), Azule said in a separate news release in July.
Brazil’s Petrobras Eyes Production Increase at Three FPSOs
Brazilian state-run oil firm Petrobras is looking to increase production at three FPSOs it operates, Sylvia dos Anjos, the head of E&P, said Aug. 18.
Production at the firm’s Almirante Tamandare FPSO in Buzios Field could increase from the current 225,000 bbl/d, reached last week, to 250,000 bbl/d, Anjos said, adding it also looks to increase output at the Marechal Duque de Caxias FPSO in the Santos Basin.
Anjos did not name the third FPSO. Both FPSOs mentioned by name have already reached peak production, but the state-run oil firm is negotiating with the Netherland's SBM Offshore and Japan’s Modec to increase production beyond that limit, said Anjos.
“There are contracts to renegotiate,” said Anjos, adding that there is “good will” by the firms operating the vessels.
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Business
BlackRock’s GIP to Buy Stake in Eni CCUS Business
BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners on Aug. 18 said it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 49.99% interest in Eni CCUS Holding.
Financial details of the proposed deal were not disclosed.
The Eni subsidiary is currently developing the Liverpool Bay and Bacton projects in the U.K. along with the L10 project in the Netherlands, with an option to join the Ravenna CCS project in Italy and other potential project opportunities, according to a news release.
“The decision to consolidate our CCUS global portfolio into a dedicated entity, and the entry of GIP as a strategic partner, will further enhance our ability to deliver large-scale, technically advanced decarbonization solutions,” said Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi. “The development of our satellite model applied to our businesses related to the energy transition is therefore successfully continuing, confirming their significant attractiveness in terms of growth potential and value creation by attracting aligned capital, as well as their effectiveness in reducing emissions.”
The partnership is expected to help accelerate development of the projects. As part of the agreement, Eni and GIP will share control of the company. Closure of the deal is subject to legal approvals.
“GIP’s experience in midstream infrastructure, combined with Eni’s technical, operational and industrial capabilities, will help accelerate the deployment of CCUS solutions at meaningful scale, furthering our commitment to serve growing market needs for affordable, decarbonized energy and products,” GIP Chairman and CEO Bayo Ogunlesi said.
ConocoPhillips Taps Halliburton for Well Stimulation Work
Halliburton has been awarded a multi-year well stimulation services contract in the North Sea by ConocoPhillips Skandinavia, the energy services company said Aug. 13.
The 5-year contract, which has three optional extension periods, was awarded as the operator looks to improve well performance and reservoir productivity. To deliver the offshore well stimulation services, Halliburton said Tidewater’s North Pomor vessel will be transformed into an advanced stimulation vessel.
Halliburton said it plans to use its Octiv digital fracturing services to maximize stimulation equipment performance and operational efficiency.
DOF Group Reels in Two Vessel Contracts in Brazil
Petrobras has selected Norway-based DOF Group to provide ROV support vessels in Brazil, according to an Aug. 12 news release.
The subsea and offshore service company said it secured four-year charters with Petrobras for the Skandi Carla and Geoholm.
DOF said Skandi Carla will operate with one work class ROV and subsea crane, while Geoholm will utilize its subsea crane and two work class ROVs on board.
The contracts, which begin in December, have a combined value of more than $275 million, DOF said.
Technology
Exxon Mobil, Cerebre Ink Long-Term Digital Agreement
Technology company Cerebre on Aug. 18 said it has signed a long-term agreement to accelerate Exxon Mobil’s Foundational Digital Backbone.
The agreement was announced as the energy major continues to utilize data and innovation to drive operational efficiency.
Cerebre’s patented technology “delivers a live intelligence map of the plant connecting physical assets, operating conditions, and expert insights to drive smarter, safer decisions,” it said in a news release.
Hart Energy Staff and Reuters contributed to this report.