Noble Energy, Inc. announced that the A-2 appraisal well drilled on the Block 12 discovery off Cyprus encountered about 120ft of net natural gas pay within Miocene-aged sands. The Cyprus A-2 well, which is more than four miles northeast of the A-1 discovery location, was drilled to 18,865ft TD in 5,575ft of water.
Production tests were performed over a 39ft section of the upper Miocene reservoir. The test was limited by surface equipment, but yielded a maximum flow rate of 56MMcf/d of natural gas. Performance modeling indicates development wells should deliver up to 250MMcf/d. Evaluation of drilling data, wireline logs, and reservoir performance resulted in an updated estimate of gross resources of the field ranging from 3.6-6Tcf of natural gas, with a mean of about 5Tcf. The Cyprus A structure represents the third largest field discovered to date within the deepwater Levant Basin.
Keith Elliott, Noble Energy's senior vice president, Eastern Mediterranean, commented, "Results from the Cyprus A-2 well have confirmed substantial recoverable natural gas resources and high reservoir deliverability. While the A-2 location has successfully defined the northern area of the discovery, we anticipate additional appraisal activities are necessary to further refine the ultimate recoverable resources and optimize field development planning. In the meantime, we continue to identify and advance multiple development options. In addition to the Cyprus A discovery, we are also encouraged about the further exploration potential in Block 12. We have recently completed a 1100sq mi, 3D seismic acquisition, which will be interpreted over the next several months."
Noble Energy operates Block 12 off Cyprus with a 70% WI. Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration each have 15% WI.
Noble Energy plans to move the Ensco 5006 drilling rig to Tamar SW, off Israel, at the completion of Cyprus operations. The Tamar SW well, testing an exploration prospect offsetting the main Tamar field, is expected to reach total depth by the end of 2013. Noble Energy operates Tamar SW with a 36% WI.
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