Repsol completes tests of two Alaska North Slope wells

Repsol SA says it has completed testing two wells during its winter exploration campaign in Alaska’s North Slope with better-than-expected yields of good quality crude that, along with positive results from previous campaigns, confirm the development potential of the area.

Including sidetracks, the ANS campaign has resulted in 16 positive wells drilled during four winter exploratory campaigns since Repsol acquired its acreage in 2011 (OGJ Online, Mar. 10, 2011; Apr. 23, 2013).

The current campaign has seen the Qugruk 8 (Q-8) well flow 30° gravity crude at rates of as much as 2,160 bo/d, and Qugruk 301 (Q-301) horizontal well yield rates as high as 4,600 bo/d.

Repsol operates the discovering consortium with 70% interest, partnering with Armstrong Oil & Gas subsidiary 70 & 48 LLC with 22.5%, and GMT Exploration Co. with 7.5%. The consortium will continue with another drilling program next winter and has begun the process to obtain permits for a development phase in the Nanushuk and Alpine areas.

In addition to Alaska, Repsol’s US assets reside in the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippian Lime, as well as the Eagle Ford and Marcellus shale plays, both of which were added through the recent purchase of Talisman Energy Inc. (OGJ Online, Dec. 16, 2014). Repsol produces 200,000 boe/d in North America, including 135,000 in the US.