Trinity, the leading independent E&P company focused on Trinidad and Tobago, provides an update on the B-9X infill well drilled at the Trintes Field on the Galeota license.
B-9X has been drilled to a depth of 4,944 ft-MD, targeting six different objectives: the F, G, M, O, OO and P sands, with the O sand being the primary target. The well penetrated multiple horizons totalling 331 feet of net oil sands, with the primary O target having 120 feet, and the shallower F, G and M targets encountering 211 feet, of net oil sands. The B-9X well is in a crestal location and this positive result indicates that further undrilled potential lies both east and west of B-9X.
On entering the OO sand level, the well encountered increased formation pressure and was shut in. As this well was not designed, nor was surface equipment rated, to manage these higher pressures, the well was TD’d and completed in the O sand, the primary objective.
Logs indicate prospectivity at the OO sand level and this data will be integrated into the newly reprocessed 3D data set to generate new infill prospects at the O, OO and P levels. Due to the higher reservoir pressures observed at these levels, future wells will require an additional casing string and higher spec surface equipment.
As a result of the high formation pressure encountered in the B-9X well, revised completion strategy is required to ensure safe production operations and includes higher pressure rated surface equipment and gas handling facilities, and, potentially, down-hole intervention. It is estimated that it will take approximately four to six weeks to bring the well into production. The well is expected to flow naturally with an estimated IP rate in the range of 200-300 bopd and will be the first Trinity-drilled, naturally-flowing well in the Trintes field.
Attention is now being moved towards preparing for drilling the B-13X (horizontal) and B-18 (J type) wells that are testing a new well design to increase initial production rates and recoverable reserves per well. Importantly, this well design will also be utilised in the TGAL development so this drilling will de-risk the new field development.
Joel “Monty” Pemberton, Chief Executive Officer of Trinity, commented:
“B-9X is important because it had an exploration component, targeting the deeper OO and P sands. The well encountered material hydrocarbons in the primary O sand target, and additional hydrocarbons in the upper section which will be recompleted later. Higher than expected pressures have delayed bringing the well into production, but it is encouraging that new fault blocks, at virgin pressures, can still be found in the established productive area.
Deepening B-9X has improved our understanding of the subsurface, and will allow us to better define development opportunities for additional drilling in the greater Trintes field. Whilst our drilling efficiency has room for improvement, the B-9X well accomplished several “firsts”, including the drilling of the longest 12 ¼” section to date and the running of the deepest deployed 9 5/8” casing string. Upgraded mud pumps will be delivered during June 2014, in preparation for drilling the B-13X and B-18 wells.”
