New Oil Discovery in Egypt

Texas-based independent IPR and Sojitz Oil & Gas have discovered another oil-bearing structure in the underlying Alam El Bueib sands in the Yidma-Alamein Licence in Egypt’s Western Desert.

The discovery follows analysis of new 3D seismic over the concession. the discovery well, Alexander-1, has already been brought on stream via existing infrastructure. IPR said the new, deeper production is from a structural closure offsetting the Dolomite closure. It plans to drill a number of new wells, adding rim wells will be re-entered to help develop the closure.

Alexander-1 (AEB-3C) was drilled to a total depth of 13,800 ft to the Alam El Bueib formation. The well flowed 23.5 degree API oil naturally at a reported flow rate of 1100 bpd on a half-inch choke.

Alexander-1 was brought on stream via the Yidma-Alamein production facilities, which are about two kilometres from the well. The find is the second discovery in a row for IPR in the AEB/Jurassic formations, following last year's Zain-1X find, which, at 17,200 feet was the deepest oil well discovery to date in the basin.

IPR said it plans to drill at a new location in a bid to optimise the tested column's reservoir and also hopes to develop an additional deeper untested zone at a higher structural position. The company added it has also discovered new reserves in the Dahab sands, initially flowing 900 bpd naturally from a sand member in the uppermost section of the Upper Dahab sand and later 1800 bpd through a half-inch choke when more perforations were added in the middle section of the same Upper Dahab sand.

IPR's chairman MK Dabbous said: “These results have exposed new stratigraphic complexities and exciting challenges in our reservoirs. New studies are also under way to exploit this phenomenon as we continue to broaden the reserve base in the Yidma-Alamein asset." - Upstream