The 2010 drilling programme onshore the Sultane of Oman has continued with the successful testing of the Farha South-5 well (FS-5) on Block 3. FS-5 tested in excess of 1,500 BOPD from a 160 metres long horizontal section in the Barik formation using an electric submersible pump (ESP). The well has been completed as a producer and is being produced into the Farha South Early Production System for a long term production test.

"We are very pleased with the results from the FS-5 well. Oil was encountered both in the Barik and the Lower Al Bashir layers. The results emphasize the importance of the Farha area and underscores the potential also of the Barik reservoir along the Farha trend," says Magnus Nordin, Managing Director of Tethys Oil AB.

The FS-5 well spudded in early October, and was drilled as a stepout exploration well 6.8 kilometres northeast of the discovery well FS-3. The pilot hole was drilled to a depth of 2,370 metres. Both the Barik formation and the Lower Al Bashir formation were penetrated with oil shows. Electrical logs were run. Subsequently, a horizontal sidetrack was drilled 160 metres within the Barik formation, which lies at 1,240 metres below ground level. A pump was installed and the well was placed on production. The average daily production rate is in excess of 1,500 BOPD of 44 API gravity.

The drilling rig has been moved to the Saiwan East-4 well, in Block 4, to carry out production tests. SE-4 showed oil in several formations when drilled in the summer of 2010, but was not tested at the time.

Tethys has a 30 per cent interest in Blocks 3 and 4. Partners are Mitsui E&P Middle East B.V. with 20 per cent and the operator CC Energy Development S.A.L. (Oman branch) holding the remaining 50 per cent.

Tags: Tethys Oil