Oman’s Ministry of Oil & Gas has opened 10 blocks to be tendered over the next several years. Bidding starts Sept. 20 for Blocks 43B, 47, 51, and 65. The ministry deployed a living data room in 2016, making high-quality raw data available via its web interface (OGJ Online, Dec. 14, 2016).
The 11,967-sq-km Dhahirah block (43B) has potential for oil and gas but is the only block of the four on offer to contain no discoveries. Only two wells have been drilled on the block, according to the ministry.
Jebel Hammah (Block 47), Baqlah (Block 51), and Block 65 each contain conventional oil and gas discoveries predominantly in the Natih, Shuaiba, and Amin formations. All three blocks have potential in the Natih E unconventional subplay with varying prospectives for tight gas and oil. Unconventional oil and gas development has only begun in Oman, and the Natih E has been recognized as a prime target across the northern part of the country.
In May, the ministry granted Eni SPA and Oman Oil Co. SAOC (OOC), the sultanate’s energy investment arm, exploration rights for Block 52, a 90,000-sq-km area in 10-2,000 m of water offshore Oman. The area is largely unexplored, and was awarded following an international bid round launched in October 2016 (OGJ Online, Dec. 14, 2016).
The deadline for bids closes Dec. 31.
Contact Tayvis Dunnahoe at [email protected].
