Tethys Petroleum finds gas pay at Akkulka Block in Kazakhstan

Initial drilling and electric log results at Tethys Petroleum’s AKD07 exploration / appraisal well in the Akkulka Block, Kazakhstan, has revealed potential hydrocarbons.

The hydrocarbons were noticed in the Jurassic limestone sequence and lower down in thin Jurassic sandstone near the current total depth of the well.

Tethys Petroleum said the ‘Dyna’ sheet sand and the ‘Doris’ channel sand were of good quality, however both have been interpreted as being water bearing.

The company intends to recommence drilling on the well, which is located in the Akkulka Block, to a planned total depth of 2,750m in a bid to fully assess the potential hydrocarbon bearing zones in the Upper Jurassic sand sequence.

AKD07 well’s current total depth is 2,585m in the Upper Jurassic sequence with a thin potentially oil bearing sand having been encountered just above total depth.

The company said the drilling and wire-line log data indicate moveable hydrocarbons within this zone.

Tethys Petroleum executive chairman and president Dr David Robson said the well has the potential oil in the Jurassic limestone and the Jurassic sandstone sequence is encouraging.

"The good quality of the sheet and channel sands is also positive for further exploration in the area despite the trapping mechanism not working at this location," said Robson.

"We will obviously continue to assess this well as we drill towards the final TD and also assess the other prospects in the area.

"In parallel with this we are working hard to improve the efficiency of our oil export system and at reducing our cost base in Kazakhstan to more economically develop the Doris oilfield and adjacent deposits."

The new total depth is expected to be reached within the next week.