Gran Tierra continues exploration drilling in Ecuador

Gran Tierra Energy Inc. has drilled Charapa-B7, its sixth consecutive discovery in Ecuador, and has produced 1 million cumulative bbl of oil in the country. 

The company provided an operational update as part of its third-quarter 2024 results Nov. 4. 

The productivity of discoveries wells Charapa-B5, Bocachico-J1, Arawana-J1, Bocachico Norte-J1, Charapa-B6, and Charapa-B7 is due to the geology in Oriente and Putumayo basins, the company said in the release. The wells penetrated the Hollin, Basal Tena, and T-Sand zones (OGJ Online, Aug. 6, 2024). 

The drilling rig has been moved from Charapa block and mobilized to Chanangue block to drill Zabaleta-K1 and Zabaleta Oeste-K1 exploration wells. Zabaleta-K1 is 4 km to the east of the Arawana-J1 well drilled earlier this year and is 200 ft up structure. The well spud on Oct. 22, 2024, and is currently drilled to 9,488 ft. 

Both wells will target the Basal Tena formation as well as assess potential in the T-Sand, U-Sand, and B-Limestone. Two remaining Zabaleta wells will be drilled by the end of the year that will help delineate the Arawana-Bocachico play.

During third-quarter 2024, the 238 sq km 3D seismic program of Charapa block was completed. The data has been processed and is currently being interpreted. Preliminary interpretations of the data confirm potential prospectivity and additional areas of interest including better definition over the Charapa structure. The 3D data will further delineate reserves, underpin future drilling locations scheduled for 2025, and support future development planning.

Other activities in Ecuador include civil works and facility construction at Cohembi in Suroriente block for drilling operations in late fourth quarter 2024. Acordionero water treatment facilities expansion is expected to be completed mid-December which will result in an additional 21,500 b/d of water handling, a 35% increase in water treatment capacity. This additional capacity will help optimize wells for increased injection and associated oil production, teh operator said.

The company continues to steadily increase total fluid production and water injection by about 18% per year to continue growing and maintaining oil production while improving sweep efficiencies and recoveries, it said. 

Gran Tierra is 100% owner and operator of Charapa block.