The Baltim SW-1 exploration well in the Baltim South development lease of the East Nile Delta reached a total depth of 3,750 m in 25 m of water, encountering 62 m of net gas pay in high-quality Messinian sandstones, partners Eni SPA and BP PLC reported.
The discovery, drilled 12 km offshore, is a new accumulation along the same trend as Nooros field, discovered in July 2015 and currently producing 65,000 boe/d (OGJ Online, May 13, 2016). The “Great Nooros Area” is now estimated to hold 70-80 billion cu m of gas in place.
Further appraisal activities will be required to underpin the full resource potential of the discovery, BP says. “Our plan is to utilize existing infrastructure which will accelerate the development of the discovery and expedite early production start-up,” explained Hesham Mekawi, regional president of BP North Africa.
In parallel with appraisal and development activities, Eni says it will continue exploring the Great Nooros Area by drilling two more wells.
Eni unit IEOC operates Baltim South with 50% interest while BP holds the other 50%. Baltim SW-1 was drilled by Petrobel, a joint venture of IEOC and state partner Egyptian General Petroleum Corp.
