Apache in second ‘significant oil discovery’ offshore Suriname

Oil and gas company Apache Corporation has made a ‘significant oil discovery’ at the Sapakara West-1 well drilled offshore Suriname on Block 58.

 

The well was drilled using the Noble Sam Croft drillship with Apache as operator holding a 50% working interest and Total holding the other 50% working interest.

 

Apache said on the 2nd April that the Sapakara West-1 was drilled to a depth of approximately 6,300 metres (20,700 feet), and successfully tested for the presence of hydrocarbons in multiple stacked targets in the upper Cretaceous-aged Campanian and Santonian intervals.

 

According to the company, preliminary fluid samples and test results indicate at least 79 metres (259 feet) of net oil and gas condensate pay in two intervals.

 

The shallower Campanian interval contains 13 metres (43 feet) of net gas condensate and 30 metres (98 feet) of net oil pay, with API oil gravities between 35 and 40 degrees. The deeper Santonian interval contains 36 metres (118 feet) of net oil-bearing reservoir with API oil gravities between 40 and 45 degrees.

 

This is Apache’s second discovery offshore Suriname this year following the one at the Maka Central-1 well, also on Block 58, announced last January.

 

“Our second discovery offshore Suriname this year further proves our geologic model and confirms a large hydrocarbon system in two play types on Block 58. Based on a conservative estimate of net pay across multiple fan systems, we have discovered another very substantial oil resource with the Sapakara West-1 well,” said John Christmann, Apache CEO and President.

 

“Importantly, our data indicates that the Sapakara West-1 well encountered a distinct fan system that is separate from the Maka Central-1 discovery we announced in January this year.”

 

New drilling targets ahead

Block 58 comprises 1.4 million acres and offers significant potential beyond the discoveries at Sapakara West and Maka Central. Apache has identified at least seven distinct play types and more than 50 prospects within the thermally mature play fairway.

 

Upon completion of operations at Sapakara West-1, the Sam Croft will move to the third prospect in Block 58, Kwaskwasi, which is located approximately ten kilometres (six miles) north-west of Sapakara West-1.

 

The fourth exploration target is Keskesi, which will be drilled approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) south-east of Sapakara West-1.

 

Both exploration wells will test oil-prone upper Cretaceous targets in the Campanian and Santonian intervals in reservoirs that appear to be independent from the Maka and Sapakara discoveries.

 

Source: Offshore Energy Today