SDX Energy makes new natural gas discovery in Morocco

SDX Energy has made a natural gas discovery at its LNB-1 exploration well on the Lalla Mimouna permit in Morocco.

Drilled to a total depth of 1,861m, the LNB-1 well encountered 300m of gas bearing horizons.

Mudlog data highlighted elevated gas readings of more than 20% with multiple sections above 50%.

Based on the identification of heavier hydrocarbon components throughout, the company expects to find thermogenic hydrocarbon source rock.

SDX noted that scans of this nature were not witnessed previously and they indicate a new petroleum system in the area.

SDX Energy president and CEO Paul Welch said: “It was a higher risk exploration prospect than previous drilling in Sebou, as it was a sequence that had not been previously penetrated in a similar structural location.

“We had anticipated a higher-pressure section, based upon offset drilling in the area, but the actual pressures encountered, the thickness of the section and the type and amount of shows significantly exceeded our expectations.

“We are currently in the early planning phases of determining how best to complete and test this section.”

Based on estimates, the discovery comprises 10.2 billion squared cubic feet of conventional natural gas and 55,000 barrels of condensate.

The company encountered 2.6m of net conventional natural gas pay sands in the secondary target, the Upper Dlalha, with average porosity in the pay section of 33%.

It expects to complete the well as a producer in the Upper Dlalha, while the deeper Lafkerena section will be suspended until appropriate equipment is obtained to test and produce.