“Operator Reliance estimates the M-1 exploration well has approximately 155 metres of net pay making it one of the thickest net pay gas sections encountered to date in the D6 Block,” Niko said in a statement.
“The well flowed 23.7 million cubic feet per day from a six metre interval at a depth of 2,750 metres. The H-1 well also encountered commercial gas and its results are currently being evaluated by the operator. In D6, a well on an additional prospect, G-1, drilling is [also] going ahead.”
All drilling in 1.9 million acre D6 to date has occurred in the first 1,800 sq km 3D seismic programme that covers 20% of the block. Processing and interpretation of newly-acquired 3D seismic data totalling 3,165 sq km is under way with additional exploratory drilling to begin in 2005.
Niko confirmed RIL had made a “fifth consecutive gas find” at Block NEC-25 off Orissa but did not elaborate further on the find. RIL has a 90% stake in the two blocks. The balance is held by Niko.
In other South Asian oil industry news, the Pakistani government has awarded an exploration license to Government Holdings Pvt Ltd for Block 2367-4 in the Indus Delta-A. It has also inked a PSA with Oil & Gas Development Co Ltd (OGDC) for “exploration activities offshore” in the acreage.
The block covers an area of 2,499 square kilometres in shallow water at the offshore edge of the Thar Platform in the Arabian Sea. It is understood the minimum work commitment is expected to cost around US$3.5 million.
