By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 23 – San Leon Energy PLC will drill a third well in August 2011 at its Tarfaya oil shale project in coastal southern Morocco and perform a small frac on the shale in an attempt to establish connectivity between wells.
The first two wells were drilled 10 m apart and confirmed the presence of 30 m of prospective oil shale 195 m deep. This is slightly thicker than prognosis, the company said. An injectivity test with water was applied to collect data on natural connectivity between the two wells. A mini hydrofrac was unable to establish connectivity between the wells.
Initial analysis suggests the presence of natural fractures in the shale. San Leon is encouraged by the possibility of fractures that could enhance the propagation of heated gas throughout the prospective intervals. San Leon will core the third well to determine fracture orientation.
Upon successful flow testing with water followed by nitrogen, propane will be brought to the pilot plant to test the process of heating the shale with natural gas. The pilot plant site construction and the assembly of the process equipment have been completed.
Meanwhile, San Leon’s seismic subsidiary, NovaSeis, plans to begin shooting 1,200 km of 2D seismic on the Tarfaya and Zag licenses by July 1, 2011. Reinterpretation of seismic on the offshore Foum Draa and Sidi Moussa licenses is near completion, and the company is likely to seek partners for drilling.
