Initial results from drilling and logging the Begonia-2 appraisal well are successful.

As energy demand continues to grow, Middle East-based natural gas company, Dana Gas PJSC, has confirmed commercial gas presence onshore Nile Delta in Egypt, in line with its US$100mn investment programme to support gas production

Initial results from drilling and logging the Begonia-2 appraisal well, which is the first of the 11 appraisal and exploration wells under the Begonia development area, have suggested the presence of 9 bn cu/ft of gas estimates that is likely to increase further. Drilling continues with the EDC-54 rig, and the next well is set to spud in August. 

Profits from the Begonia development will significantly contribute to the company's million dollar gas programme, adding approximately 80 bn cu/ft in recoverable gas reserves over the course of the two-year plan. 

Located in the New El-Manzala concession and operated by the joint venture, El-Wastani Patrolmen Company (Wasco), the Begonia-2 well generates an additional 5 mn cu/ft gas per day from enhanced recovery practices. 

Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources is especially enthusiastic of the project, anticipating its domestic natural gas production potential. The government is also banking on the project's contribution towards solidifying the national energy system and driving economic development.

To boost and maintain production count, the company is focusing on well recompletions in other geological layers too. The Egyptco rig which was in plug and abandonment mode has been redeployed by the company for recompletion activities in the Balsam-3 well. Output enhancement besides, the recompletion eliminated the risks that accompany drilling exploration wells. It generated a total 4 bn cu/ft of gas while ensuring an additional yield of 3 mn cu/ft of gas per day.

Richard Hall, CEO, Dana Gas, said, “The successful drilling of the appraisal well 'Begonia-2' and the recompletion of the ‘Balsam-3’ well marks a significant strategic milestone. It signals the first steps in our ambitious US$100mn investment programme in Egypt, which includes drilling 11 new wells. We have been developing and producing gas in Egypt for over a decade, and the signing of the concession area consolidation agreement with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) late last year has allowed us to acquire additional areas under improved financial terms, enabling us to launch this new phase.

"The success of drilling this well opens vast prospects for gas production in the 'Begonia' area and presents promising future opportunities for expansion and growth. It will also extend the operational life of our assets in Egypt. We are fully committed to making every effort to ensure the success of the programme and its efficient and timely execution. Dana Gas reaffirms its strong
commitment to reinvesting the payments it receives from the Egyptian government into executing this ambitious programme and supporting future development projects in the country. Regular and timely payments from our partners are crucial to sustaining these investments.”

The operations will include perforating and testing.

Predator Oil & Gas Holdings Plc, which has assets in Morocco, has commenced the rigless testing operations at the MOU-3 well at Guercif

Planned over a period of 10 days, the operations will include perforating and testing of the shallow 'A' Sand.

Predator's assets in Morocco boasts of highly prospective onshore gas exposure and production. The asset holds unique value for the company in terms of CNG development, as it unlocks easy access to shallow biogenic gas. 

Moroccan gas prices lead in a competitive market, with one of the most attractive fiscal terms in the world.

Predator has an experienced management team with particular knowledge of the Moroccan sub- surface and operations.

Work on pipeline will commence this month.

Tanzania-focused oil and gas exploration company, Aminex, has notified that the construction of the pipeline from the Ntorya gas field to the Madimba gas processing plant is set to commence this month, with an aim to complete and commission it by the end of July 2026. 

APT is currently awaiting approval from the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) on its tender strategy for contracting a rig to drill the Chikumbi-1 well and conduct a workover on the Ntorya-1 well along with all related services.

Charles Santos, executive chairman of Aminex, said, "We are delighted that work on the pipeline will commence this month, marking the start of the construction phase of the Ntorya Gas Development. With a plan to complete the Pipeline by July 2026 and expectation of starting a rig tender process very soon, the project is well on its way to producing first gas next year.

"We are grateful to the TPDC, PURA and other agencies, which have backed the Government of Tanzania’s strong commitment to our project with their hard work. And we thank APT as the operator for managing the dynamic work streams to reach this milestone.

"As the discoverer of the Ntorya Gas Field and founding partner in the development, we have long believed the project will be a gamechanger for Tanzania’s energy landscape. Gas from the first phase of development will be staying in Tanzania to help power homes, boost industrial development and the regional economy and replace dirtier fuels such as coal and charcoal. This has long been our vision and now we are very excited to be so much closer to realising that vision.” 

Initial results have pointed towards multiple reservoirs with good mobility. (Image source: ANGP)

The Lower Congo Basin offshore Angola that falls under the purview of Block 1/14, revealed commercial gas from the Gajajeira-01 exploration well for partners, including the National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels, Azule Energy (35%), Equinor (30%), Sonangol E&P (25%) and Acrep SA (10%)

This is great news for ANGP as this lends the national oil and gas body a strong ground to advance domestic gas consumption while also boosting the petrochemical industry. "The new discoveries are a motivating factor in our commitment to attracting private investment in the sector for the development and monetisation of natural gas," said Paulino Jerónimo, chairman of the ANPG Board of Directors. 

The well reached the discovery of gas- and condensate-bearing sandstones in one of the Lower Oligocene targets following drilling at a water depth of 95 meters and approximately 60 kilometers offshore. Advanced evaluation formations and control tools were used to assess reservoir quality and fluid characterestics during the drilling of the first section. As drilling continues at the Gajajeira-01 well, the last interval of the Lower Oligocene LO300 remains the next target. 

The initial results and testings collected from fluid samples have pointed towards multiple reservoirs with good mobility. Going ahead with the project can lead to the finding of gas volumes worth more than 1 trillion cu/ft, with up to 100 mn barrels of associated condensate.

To top that, the findings indicate an underlying hydrocarbon system at large, suggesting grand opportunities for exploration for the Block 1/14 partners.

"This is a landmark moment for gas exploration in Angola. The Gajajeira-01 well is the first dedicated gas exploration well in the country, and its success reinforces our confidence in the potential of the Lower Congo Basin. We are proud to contribute to Angola's long-term energy development with a focus on sustainability and energy security," said Azule Energy's CEO, Adriano Mongini.