TPAO discovers further gas close to Ayazli

Feb. 11, 2010
Turkish state-owned petroleum company TPAO has completed drilling of two exploration wells in the shallow water sector of the Black Sea, according to partner Stratic Energy.

Offshore staff

CALGARY, Canada-- Turkish state-owned petroleum company TPAO has completed drilling of two exploration wells in the shallow water sector of the Black Sea, according to partner Stratic Energy.

At the end of last year, the GSP-owned jackup Saturn drilled wells on the West Ayazli and East Akkaya structures. The West Ayazli well was drilled to a sub-surface TD of 2,545 m (8,349 ft) after encountering gas-bearing Akcakoca sands at a depth of 643-763 m (2,109-2,503 ft).

The uppermost of these sands, Stratic says, proved to be pressure depleted, and therefore connected to the Ayazli field. Sands in the deeper section appeared to be less depleted. These gas-bearing intervals tested gas at 10MMcf/d, and were then completed to allow cross-flow from the lower sands into the upper intervals in communication with the Ayazli field.

The East Akkaya probe was P&A’d as a dry hole, after being terminated at 1,400 m (4,593 ft).

Stratic is marketing its Turkish offshore E&P interests, and hopes to conclude a sale by mid-2010.

02/2010