Argentina’s Petrochemical Comodoro Rivadavia SA, through subsidiary PCR Ecuador, discovered oil in a petroleum block 90-Sahino in southwest Ecuador and will carry out extended tests for 90 days, starting this month.
As operator of the block, the company drilled three wells—VHR Sur 01, VHR SUR 02, and VHR SUR 03—and, after tests, studies, and preliminary analysis, PCR confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in well VHR SUR 01.
The Upper U layer, after 72 hours of testing, produced 2,095 b/d with 1.01% water. The Lower U layer, after 75 hours of testing, had total fluid production of 2,362 b/d with 1.03% water.
The company expects to complete a second and third well to finish the $40-million exploration work. After analyzing the joint results, the company may request exploitation permits.
The Sahino block covers about 99 sq km in the Oriente basin and lies about 99 km from Nueva Loja, Sucumbios Province. Based on the geological profile, Sahino has three main reservoirs: Tena (Basal), Napo, and Hollín. These are sandstone reservoirs, in a structural-stratigraphic trap, from which oil is extracted.
PCR has been present in Ecuador since 1998, and currently is the third private hydrocarbon producer in the country with three operated areas and more than 30 producing wells.
