Frontera finds hydrocarbons at Jandaya-1 in Ecuador

Frontera Energy Corp. is preparing permits to move forward with a long-term test after finding hydrocarbons at the Jandaya-1 exploration well on the Perico block in Ecuador.

The Jandaya-1 exploration well was spud Dec. 7, 2021, to test an exploration prospect in the northeastern portion of the block. The well was drilled to a total depth of 10,975 ft (3,345 m) and a total of 78 ft vertical depth of potential hydrocarbon bearing reservoir was encountered in three formations.

The initial 24-hour test average flow rate for the Lower Hollin formation was about 750 b/d and 1 MMcfd of gas for a total of 925 boe/d with an average water cut of 17%. Well clean up and additional flow testing in two other zones will be completed in the coming weeks.

An environmental impact assessment is being prepared and additional appraisal activities are expected to be performed in the short-term to confirm size and mid- to long-term production levels, the operator said.

Additionally, Frontera expects to spud the Tui-1 exploration well in the southern portion of the Perico block in February. Tui-1 lies about 6 km from the Jandaya-1 well and is expected to be drilled to a total depth of 10,972 ft. Additional prospects on the Perico block have been identified and are being matured for future drilling.

Frontera holds about 16,700 net acres in the Perico and Espejo exploration blocks in Ecuador. The blocks lie near existing production and infrastructure in Sucumbíos Province in the northeastern part of Ecuador, in the Oriente basin. The basin currently produces more than 500,000 b/d.

Frontera is operator of the Perico block with 50% interest. GeoPark Ltd. holds the remaining 50%.