John Gerstenlauer, Gulf Keystone's Chief Operating Officer commented: "With three Gulf Keystone wells underway on the Shaikan and Sheikh Adi blocks, the second exploration well being drilled in partnership with MOL on the Akri-Bijeel block, and the first exploration well expected to be drilled on the Ber Bahr block in partnership with Genel later in 2011, we are firmly focused on adding further oil-in-place volumes in all four blocks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq."
Operational Update
- Shaikan-2
The Shaikan-2 deep appraisal well is currently at a depth of 3,166 meters. The well has penetrated both the Triassic Kurre Chine A (which tested 1,700 bopd in Shaikan-1) and the Kurre Chine B (which tested 6,000 bopd in Shaikan-1). The forward plan is to set casing at this depth just above the Triassic Dolomite prior to drilling into this highly prospective section. Previously high pressure, which exceeded the tolerance of the Shaikan-1 well design, forced the cessation of drilling in the Triassic Dolomite despite the evidence of oil and gas. The Shaikan-2 deep appraisal well (along with any subsequent and currently drilling wells operated by Gulf Keystone at these depths) is designed to operate under the high pressure previously encountered in the Triassic Dolomite. The Shaikan-2 final TD is still planned for the lower Triassic or the upper Permian.
- Sheikh Adi-1
The Sheikh Adi-1 exploration well is currently at a depth of 3,515 meters in the Triassic Kurre Chine B. Good oil shows were encountered in the Kurre Chine A, as well as indications of much better oil shows in the Kurre Chine B. Although a flow test was initiated in the Kurre Chine A, it was determined that future testing as part of a cased hole programme would be more beneficial.
The forward plan is to set casing just above the high pressure Triassic Dolomite and then drill as deep as possible into the middle to lower Triassic and, if feasible, into the upper Permian.
Once drilling has reached TD, a cased hole testing programme will be undertaken with a smaller rig. The AOS Discoverer-1 rig, currently on location at Sheikh Adi-1, will therefore move to the Shaikan-5 deep appraisal well drilling location.
- Shaikan-4
Shaikan-4, the second deep appraisal well, 6 kilometers to the north-west of the Shaikan-1 discovery well, was spudded on 27 May 2011 and is currently at a depth of 462 meters with a final target of the lower Triassic or the upper Permian depending on well results and drilling performance.
- 3D Seismic Processing and Interpretation
The Shaikan and Sheikh Adi 3D seismic data will be fully processed and interpreted by end of July 2011. Preliminary results of the 3D data interpretation indicate a somewhat larger Shaikan structure (by 5-10%) than originally mapped based on the earlier 2D seismic data. This is an encouraging departure from the norm when transitioning from 2D based structure map to one based on 3D data. These results will form part of the input into future oil-in-place estimates.
- Bekhme-1
Bekhme-1, the second exploration well on the Akri-Bijeel block operated by Kalegran Ltd. (a 100% subsidiary of MOL), is drilling ahead at a depth of 2,828 meters.
