UK-based SDX Energy has started a 12-well drilling campaign targeting a mean 15bcf of gross unrisked prospective resources in its operated Gharb Basin acreage in Morocco, in which it holds a 75% working interest.
The first seven wells are located in the company’s core producing concessions at Sebou and Gharb Centre, amd are lower-risk appraisal wells targeting prospects which are close to existing infrastructure. These wells can be tied in quickly, at low cost, and are similar in geological risk to the discoveries already made and producing in this area.
These seven appraisal wells will be followed by two step-out exploration wells further to the north in Gharb Centre and outside the reach of the company’s existing infrastructure. These two exploration wells are targeting prospects which are similar to the discoveries made in Sebou and Gharb Centre albeit they are deemed higher risk as this part of the concession has not been previously tested. Success here could open up this northern area of the concession for extensive follow-on drilling.
The last three wells of the campaign are expected to be higher-risk exploration wells in the Lalla Mimouna Nord concession, targeting larger prospects in deeper, as yet unproven, horizons.
In order to optimise operations and reduce costs, SDX has secured an advanced North American rig to reduce drilling time. Furthermore, the Company will perforate and test successful wells in separate campaigns, with multiple wells tested back to back in each campaign to reduce equipment mobilisation costs. The drilling campaign is expected to complete in Q1 2020.
“SDX is pleased to announce the start of its drilling campaign in Morocco,” said SDX CFO and Interim CEO Mark Reid. “The 12 wells have three key objectives. The first objective is to drill seven lower risk wells in our existing core producing area. These wells are close to existing infrastructure and will increase reserves for the continued supply of gas to our existing customers.
Our second objective is to drill two step-out exploration wells to the north of our core production area which, if successful, would open up new, target-rich acreage for future drilling. The final objective of the campaign is to test larger but higher-risk prospects in the Lalla Mimouna Nord concession. To do this, we plan to drill up to three wells, however, if the first well does not meet our expectations, we may move the rig back to our core producing area and complete the campaign by drilling two further lower-risk, but smaller, prospects to add additional reserves. We expect the campaign to complete in Q1 2020 and we look forward to updating the market on progress in due course.”
