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Maha Energy has announced the initial and preliminary results from the production test on Block 70 in the Sultanate of Oman. The tests were performed on the ‘Alpha pad’ on wells (i) Mafraq-9, (ii) Mafraq-7, (iii) Mafraq-10 and (iv) Mafraq-8.
a) Mafraq-9 well, the first well connected to the production test facilities, flowed at a rate between 300-350 barrels of oil per day with a water cut of about 5%;
b) This was followed by testing of Mafraq-7 which encountered startup issues and was shut-in for the moment to be re-evaluated;
c) Mafraq-10 reached an estimated production of 430 barrels of oil per day with about 10% water cut before the test ended;
d) And Mafraq-8 that reached an estimated production of 600 barrels of oil per day with a water cut below 5%;
The oil produced during the testing phase is heavy oil of 11-13 degrees API, with viscosity higher than pre-testing estimates. In order to get the oil to meet trucking and processing specifications for third party’s facilities, different thermal and chemical treatment options are being applied by Maha with various service providers with experience and capabilities in heavy oil processing.
The preliminary flow rates and water cut rates are encouraging and once the required specifications are achieved, the oil produced during the testing phase will be transported by heated trucks to a third party’s facilities for further processing and, afterwards, transportation through the Omani national pipeline system.
Wells will continue to be added to the test until all eight new production wells have been tested and data gathered. Each well is completed with a PCP pump. The drilling program on Block 70 has continued as per plan in the second quarter 2023 with drilling of production, exploration and appraisal wells.
Maha is the Operator of Block 70 with 65% working interest, with Mafraq Energy holds the remaining 35%.
Background
Block 70 is an onshore block that includes the shallow undeveloped Mafraq heavy oil field. The Block is located in the middle of the prolific oil producing Ghaba Salt Basin in the central part of Oman. The Mafraq oil field was discovered by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in 1988 and was further delineated by four wells and 3D seismic in stages until 2010. Two wells were placed on pump production tests, of which one was placed on an extended test in order to prove long term productivity.
The Block covers an area of 639 km2 and is covered by both 2D and 3D seismic data that has been acquired by previous operators has been made available to Maha.
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Source: Maha Energy
