Offshore Morocco well finds tight carbonates

April 30, 2018
Eni’s Rabat Deep 1 well offshore Morocco will be P&A’d as a dry hole, according to partner Chariot Oil & Gas.

Offshore staff

LONDON – Eni’s Rabat Deep 1 well offshore Morocco will be P&A’d as a dry hole, according to partner Chariot Oil & Gas.

The drillshipSaipem 12000 drilled the well to a total MD of 3,180 m (10,433 ft) to test the JP-1 prospect.

It penetrated a thick top seal and drilled into the primary target, where it encountered tight, fractured carbonates as evidenced by extensive losses of drilling fluid.

Only limited cuttings could be recovered from the primary target and analysis suggested traces of hydrocarbons.

Electric log data and side-wall cores were acquired, and a detailed review will follow, the aim being to understand the implications of the well results on the prospectivity of the surrounding area.

Larry Bottomley, Chariot’s CEO, said: “Whilst the results of the Rabat Deep 1 well are very disappointing, the fact that we encountered tight carbonates in the Jurassic target with a thick top seal will be invaluable in calibrating the existing data sets and determining the implications for the prospectivity in the Rabat Deep permits.

“Rock properties from the top seal and some thin sands encountered in the overburden will allow an improved description of the Cretaceous siliciclastic play that Chariot is targeting in the neighboring Mohammedia and Kenitra permits where we operate with 75% equity.”

04/30/2018