Greenland
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. ASA, Naersnes, Norway, is collecting 4,000 km of 2D marine seismic data during July-October between Greenland and northeastern Canada.
The survey is designed to tie geological information from existing wells off Canada into an unexplored, highly prospective province, recently discovered during TGS-NOPEC's 2000 seismic program in the same area (OGJ, Jan. 1, 2001, p. 27). Greenland plans its first bidding round in first quarter 2002.
Iceland
The Ministry of Industry issued its first approval of seismic operations in waters off Iceland.
InSeis, a new Norwegian geophysical contractor, started surveys of southern Jan Mayen ridge using the Polar Princess research vessel. This area is between Greenland and Norway, northwest of the Faroe Islands, and south of Jan Mayen Island.
Kazakhstan
Atlantic Caspian Resources PLC, London, will consider placing Kyzyloy field on production.
The field is on a 1,667 sq km extension of the company's Akkul license area in the North Ustyurt basin.
Kyzyloy, a shallow Eocene gas deposit just northwest of the Aral Sea, was discovered in 1967. The field has 59 wells, including four capable of production, that defined proved reserves of 109 bcf of gas.
Never produced, the field is 30 km west of dual gas pipelines that run between Russia's eastern Volga-Urals region and Uzbekistan.
Russia
Lukoil Overseas Holding Ltd. agreed to acquire the remaining 50% of joint venture Permtex LLC from SOCO International PLC, London, for $50 million.
Permtex owns licenses to develop several fields in Western Siberia's Perm Oblast: Ozernoye, Tarkhovskoye, Mysinskoye, Borovitskoye, Magovskoye, and Logovskoye. Lukoil will hold 100% of Permtex following the transaction (OGJ Online, Aug. 20, 2001).
Uganda
Energy Africa Ltd. was to join Heritage Oil Corp., Calgary, by taking a 50% interest in Block 3 in an unexplored rift basin. Heritage remains operator.
The companies planned to acquire 200 km of 2D seismic data on the block this fall with drilling to start in first quarter 2002, Heritage said.
Saskatchewan
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. completed a well in southeast Saskatchewan with three horizontal laterals in Devonian Winnipegosis.
The Steelman 9-27 well, Anadarko 100% working interest, flowed at a choked rate of 605 b/d from the laterals, with a combined length of 1,216 ft, at an undisclosed depth.
Ohio
Northwestern Ohio is the site of a modest discovery in Ordovician Trenton limestone.
The 1 Hensel, in southwestern Wyandot County 4 miles northwest of Marseilles, potentialed for 25 b/d of 37° gravity oil and 2.5 MMcfd of gas from acidized perforations at 1,382-1,514 ft. TD is 2,833 ft in Cambrian Mount Simon. The well, 10 miles from a gas pipeline, was shut-in.
MAR Oil Co., Columbus, Ohio, is successor operator to the original permit holder, Ramah Oil Co. LLC, Mount Gilead, Ohio. MAR is a subsidiary of Zorin Exploration Ltd., Calgary, which said the well is a shallower continuation of its southern Ontario Ordovician oil exploration on Pelee Island, Lake Erie.
Chevron Corp. drilled several wildcats in Wyandot and Marion counties in 1990-91 (see map, OGJ, Feb. 4, 1991, p. 58).
Texas
Gulf Coast
Petrocorp Inc., Tulsa, Okla., spudded an exploratory test near Alta Loma field, western Galveston County, to Lower Frio Andrau sands at 15,300 ft, said interest holder Aminex PLC, London.
Completed well cost is projected at $3.8 million. As many as three more wells could be drilled depending on the outcome of the first, the 1 Sunny Ernst, on a 3D seismic prospect.