By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 10 -- Gross mean resource potential at the Tamar gas discovery in the Mediterranean off Israel is a "clearly commercial" 5 tcf, said operator Noble Energy Inc., Houston, after analyzing postdrill and production test data.
Performance modeling indicates that the discovery well, in 5,500 ft of water 55 miles off Haifa, can be completed at a producing rate of more than 150 MMcfd, Noble Energy said. The company's predrill estimate of resource potential was 3.1 tcf.
The well tested at the rate of 30 MMcfd limited by equipment capacity from a 59-ft interval in the lowermost reservoir. Drilled to 16,076 ft, it cut more than 460 ft of net pay in three high-quality reservoirs.
The group led by Noble Energy will move the Atwood Hunter semisubmersible to the drill the Dalit prospect in 4,500 ft of water on the Michal license 28 miles off Haifa. Proposed total depth is 12,500 ft. The rig will then return to the Matan license to drill an appraisal well at Tamar (see map, OGJ, Feb. 2, 2009, p. 39).
Dalit, covered by 3D seismic, has a predrill gross mean resource of 700 bcf with a 40% chance of success, the company said.
Noble Energy operates Matan and Michal with 36% working interest. Other interest owners are Isramco Negev 2 with 28.75%, Delek Drilling 15.625%, Avner Oil Exploration 15.625%, and Dor Gas Exploration 4%.
Isramco Inc., Houston, has a 1.4375% overriding royalty interest before payout and a 2.7375% ORRI after payout in the Matan license.
