Valeura begins reservoir stimulation and testing operations at Inanli-1

Upstream natural gas producer Valeura Energy has commenced reservoir stimulation and testing operations at the Inanli-1 appraisal well at Thrace Basin, Turkey.

All the required completion and testing equipment were on the well site.

The company expects to commence diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT) and extended leak-off test (XLOT) operations this week and the first reservoir stimulation is expected next week.

Valeura plans to test a minimum of four zones at the Inanli-1.

The deepest zones will initially be evaluated first, followed by the testing of the well to shallower zones.

According to the company, the stimulation programme is designed to test well-defined discrete intervals. It plans to perform only a single-stage high-pressure stimulation test for each zone.

Valeura Energy president and CEO Sean Guest said: “With 11 vertical well penetrations into the over-pressured gas-bearing formations, we have built a strong understanding of the depth and breadth of the reservoir intervals and are now turning our attention toward understanding how the rocks will flow with fracture stimulation.

“This is an exciting time for Valeura and our shareholders as we begin to develop a picture of the commercial potential for our basin-centred gas accumulation play by demonstrating both fluid characteristics and flow potential.”

Valeura aims to identify those zones that require further analysis via additional targeted drilling, as part of a pilot development programme that includes horizontal wells and multi-stage fracture stimulation.

Valeura Energy is a Canadian company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Turkey.