North Africa-focused oil and gas firm SDX Energy has made conventional natural gas discovery at its LMS-1 exploration well on the Lalla Mimouna permit in Morocco.
Drilled to a total depth of 1158m, the LMS-1 well had primary target in the H-9 sequence, which is a Miocene aged shallow marine deposit.
The well, which is now being completed as a conventional natural gas producer in the H-9 interval, had encountered 16.4m of net conventional gas pay sands with average porosity of 32% in an over-pressured section.
SDX said that the well has encountered heavier gas indicating the presence of a deeper thermogenic source rock charging the structure.
Additionally, the cuttings showed evidence of fluorescence indicating the potential presence of liquid hydrocarbons, the firm noted.
Once the drilling rig is moved, the well is planned to be perforated and tested for about 30 days.
SDX president and CEO Paul Welch said: “We are very pleased with the results of this exploration well as it has significantly exceeded our pre-drill estimates for both reservoir quality and pay sand thickness.
“Similar to the LNB-1 discovery, this was a higher risk exploration prospect into a sequence that had not been previously penetrated in a similar structural location. We were prepared for the overpressures in this area and as a result have been able to successfully log and complete this well.”
“Given the deeper source rock, the heavier gas elements and fluorescence seen in the cuttings we are anticipating production of condensate during the test which could add some significant value to the production established in this area.
“It’s an excellent way to conclude the drilling program with seven of our nine wells being successful. Most importantly, the results of our last two exploration wells have opened up a very significant new play area for us in the Gharb basin.”