Karoon completes Kangaroo sidetrack (Brazil)

Karoon Gas Australia has completed drilling the first of two sidetracks of the Kangaroo-2 appraisal well, located in exploration Block S-M-1165, off Brazil. 

A multi formation production testing program was successfully completed in the Kangaroo-2 vertical well, the results of which were announced December 23, 2014 and January 6, 2015. Karoon is the operator and has a 65% interest in the jointly held Block S-M-1165, Santos Basin, Brazil. Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp holds the remaining 35% interest.

Down-dip side-track drilling results

Karoon says that the objective of the side-tracked well in the down-dip side-track location was to better define the resource size, recovery factors and collect valuable data in the Kangaroo field. This information will be used to build the geological model and early development concepts. Side-track-1 was drilled to a down-dip location to target the Paleocene and Maastrichtian reservoirs on the eastern side of an interpreted north-south trending fault, and to evaluate potential hydrocarbon accumulations in the Campanian. According to the company, the down-dip side-track penetrated the Paleocene formations on the eastern side of the fault with water wet reservoir sands being encountered as expected. The down-dip side-track intersected oil bearing Maastrichtian reservoir on the east side of the fault as expected. Five reservoir fluid samples were recovered by wireline from a 50 metre gross oil column in the Maastrichtian section with a net to gross of 36% and an average porosity of 24%. One sample was opened on surface and contained 3 litres of 38 degree API oil. No hydrocarbons were encountered in the deeper Campanian interval. Oil samples and side-wall core plugs have been obtained using wirelines tools. Subsequent laboratory testing results will be incorporated into the Kangaroo geological model over the coming months, Karoon said in the press release.

Side-track-1 is now complete and preparations are underway to start side-track-2.

Kangaroo-2 side-track program

Side-track-2 will be drilled into Paleocene and Maastrichtian reservoirs in an up-dip location to test reservoir and hydrocarbon potential towards the salt wall. The company says that the information obtained from Kangaroo-2 and its two side-track wellbores is important for assessing the commerciality of the Kangaroo oil field and will be used to update the field subsurface development plan which will drive Front End Engineering and Design (’FEED’) bringing the project a step closer to possible execution. The Kangaroo-2 appraisal well is located in exploration Block S-M-1165, approximately 300 metres up-dip and 4 kilometres south of Kangaroo-1 and is the first well in Karoon’s Santos Basin exploration and appraisal drilling campaign.

Forward program

Following the completion of all operations on the Kangaroo-2 appraisal well, the rig will drill the Kangaroo West-1 exploration well (the second firm well in the program) to evaluate the salt-flank prospect on the western side of Kangaroo salt structure, approximately 4.5 kilometres from Kangaroo-2. Due to large size and proximity to Kangaroo, Karoon says that a successful outcome at Kangaroo West-1 could materially add to any possible development of the Kangaroo oil field. The salt flank play was first proven by Kangaroo-1 with the intersection of a 76 metre gross oil column and oil recovered to surface from wireline DSTs. Results of the Kangaroo-2 well further confirm the viability of the play. Kangaroo West-1 is located on the western flank of the same salt structure as Kangaroo-1 and has the same trap type and reservoir and seal intervals that have been mapped into the prospect from surrounding wells.

The exploration and appraisal drilling campaign is expected to continue through first half 2015 with the ’Olinda Star’ semi-submersible rig drilling the entire campaign. The rig contract provides Karoon with 2 firm wells plus 2 option wells, and, in the event of a successful drilling outcome in the first 2 wells provides maximum flexibility for further appraisal of the Kangaroo oil discovery, additional drilling at Kangaroo West or possibly targeting other prospects.

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