Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) discovered four new shallow water fields offshore Mexico with the potential to produce at least 200,000 b/d of crude oil and 170 Bcf/d of gas.
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Map of shallow water discoveries off Campeche and Tabasco. |
PEMEX CEO Emilio Lozoya said that characterization studies estimate that combined total reserves could hit a total of 350 MMboe.
Three of the fields are located off the coast of Tabasco and one is offshore Campeche near Cantarell. Production is expected to commence within 16 months, and achieve production 20 months later.
The fields near Campeche, which include Batsil-1, Esah-1, and Cheek-1, could fetch 100,000 b/d and about 80 MMcf of gas. At Tabasco, Xikin-1 is estimated that 100,000 b/d of light oil and 90 MMcf/d of gas could be discovered.
The discoveries are the biggest news to hit the Mexican national oil company in five years, following the Tsimin-Xux and Ayatsil fields, and mark the first significant exploration results following Mexico’s Energy Reform approval by President Enrique Peña Nieto in 2014.
Lozoya contributed the discoveries to recent exploration work that applied advanced seismic technology.
Seismic in Mexico
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Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) announced its return to the Gulf of Mexico for PEMEX to continue a 2013 3D electromagnetic acquisition survey, earlier this month. The company has conducted more than 16,000sq km of 3D controlled source electromagnetic data, with more than 40 identified prospects in the Gulf of Mexico since 2010.
Round One countdown
Mexico’s Round One consists of 14 shallow water exploration blocks that cover nine fields, and is estimated to have a total of 356 MMboe of 2P reserves.
In May, US supermajors Chevron and ExxonMobil were two of 26 companies that earned the right to submit bids for Round One.
In addition, seven consortia were awarded prequalification certificates.
In order to qualify, companies must prove their knowledge and experience in working in shallow waters by demonstrating their participation in at least three exploration and production projects, or alternatively in one or in two large-scale projects, which together involve capital investments of US$1 billion, David Shields explained in OE’s April magazine edition.
Awards for Round One are to be announced next month on 15 July.
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