Cairn prepares for more discoveries in Rajasthan
If you thought youd heard the end of Cairn Energys run of success in Rajasthan, youd better think again.
Cairns 17th February Operational Update gives strong hints to suggest more discoveries are on the way. Start with the 856-sq km N-V (new exploration) extension area granted to Cairn in January this year.
Results from appraisal well N-V-1ST show that the N-V-1 oil discovery announced in August last year extends into the new exploration area, reveals Cairn. This highly deviated (N-V-1ST) well has encountered 320 metres of net high quality Fatehgarh oil pay sands, which equates to 104 metres of true vertical net oil pay.
Adds Cairn, N-V-1ST will be suspended as a potential producer. Two more appraisal wells are planned on this structure, as are two exploration wells in the extension area before May 2005.
Next, look at the existing 1858-sq km Rajasthan Development Area, from where Cairn already plans to produce 80, 000 b/d to 100, 000 b/d from the Mangala and Aishwariya fields. Preliminary results from a 450-sq km 3D survey on the two fields are encouraging and that over Aishwariya an up dip well has been programmed to confirm the crest of the field, writes Cairn.
Within this area, Cairn has also discovered gas. Potentially large in place volumes of gas have been established at Raageshwari innon conventional volcanic reservoirs, adds Cairn.
The Raageshwari-5 well tested 1m cf/d (30,000cm/d) from the volcanic section and 1.5m cf/d (40,000cm/d) from the Fatehgarh. Cairn plans a down dip appraisal well to confirm additional in place gas volumes in the Fatehgarh.
As if that is enough, Cairn also points to the significant oil in place potential of the Thumbli Formation and is planning productivity trials along with stimulation tests to indicate the potential for commercial production. Adds Cairn: Various development options for Thumbli oil are currently being reviewed.
