Apache, Total make second significant oil discovery offshore Suriname

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – Apache Corp. and Total have achieved a second oil discovery in block 58 offshore Suriname.

The drillship Noble Sam Croft drilled the Sapakara West-1 well south of the Maka Central-1 discovery (announced earlier this year) to a depth of around 6,300 m (20,700 ft).

According to operator Apache, the well successfully tested hydrocarbons from multiple stacked targets in the upper Cretaceous Campanian and Santonian intervals.

Fluid analysis and test results indicate at least 79 m (259 ft) of net oil and gas condensate pay within two intervals.

The shallower Campanian interval holds 13 m (43 ft) of net gas condensate and 30 m (98 ft) of net oil pay, with API gravities between 35 and 40°. The deeper Santonian interval contains 36 m (118 ft) of net oil-bearing reservoir with a 40-45°API range.

John J. Christmann, Apache CEO and president, said: “Our second discovery offshore Suriname this year further proves our geologic model and confirms a large hydrocarbon system in two play types on block 58.

“Based on a conservative estimate of net pay across multiple fan systems, we have discovered another very substantial oil resource with the Sapakara West-1 well. Importantly, our data indicates that the Sapakara West-1 well encountered a distinct fan system that is separate from…Maka Central-1.”

Apache has identified at least seven distinct play types and more than 50 prospects within the thermally mature play fairway across the block.

Upon completion of the current well, the Sam Croft will move 10 km (6 mi) to the northwest to drill the Kwaskwasi prospect.

A fourth exploration target (Keskesi will then be drilled, located 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Sapakara West-1. Both these wells will test oil-prone upper Cretaceous targets in the Campanian and Santonian intervals in reservoirs that appear to be independent from Maka and Sapakara.

04/02/2020