Maka Central discovery offshore Suriname extends Guyana Cretaceous oil play

Apache Corp. and Total will test additional prospects on Block 58 offshore Suriname following a light oil and gas condensate discovery at Maka Central-1 well that proves the extension of the Guyana Cretaceous oil play into Suriname waters, Total reported Jan. 7. The companies formed a 50-50 joint venture in December 2019 to explore and develop the 1.4-million-acre block (OGJ Online, Dec. 23, 2019).

Drilled by Apache as operator in water depth of 1,000 m, the well encountered net pay in multiple stacked reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous Campanian and Santonian formations.

The shallower Campanian interval contains 50 m of net oil and gas condensate pay. Preliminary fluid samples and test results indicate light oil and gas condensate with API gravities between 40 and 60 degrees.

The deeper Santonian interval contains 73 m of net oil-bearing reservoir. Preliminary fluid samples and tests results indicate API oil gravities between 35 and 45 degrees.

The well also targeted a third interval, the Turonian, a geologic analogue to oil discoveries offshore West Africa. Prior to reaching the interval, the well encountered significantly over-pressured, oil-bearing reservoirs in the lower Santonian, and the decision was made to conclude drilling at 6,300 m. The pressures encountered in the lower Santonian are a positive sign for the Turonian and future drilling will test the interval, Apache said in a press statement.

The formation evaluation program included logging-while-drilling and wireline logs, formation pressures, and preliminary core and fluid analysis and indicates the potential for prolific oil wells, said John Christmann, Apache chief executive officer and president. Additionally, he said, “the size of the stratigraphic feature, as defined by 3-D seismic imaging, suggests a substantial resource.” Further drilling and testing will be carried out to appraise the resources and productivity of the reservoir. Seven distinct play types and more than 50 prospects have been identified, he said.

The next exploration well—the Sapaka West-1—drilled by the Noble Sam Croft drillship 20 km southeast of the Make Central discovery, will test oil-prone Cretaceous targets in the Campanian and Santonian intervals. Operatorship will be transferred to Total after completion of a third exploration well.