Drilling ahead: in Colombia
Hopes rise on Costayaco-2 results
Solana Resources has drilled, logged and cased the Costayaco-2 well, in the Chaza Block, in southern Colombia's Putumayo basin, with the 560-metre step-out probe hitting similar hydrocarbon shows to the the Costayaco-1 discovery well.
Costayaco-2 reached a total measured depth of 8600 feet on 2 January and hit similar hydrocarbon shows and lithology as Costayaco-1.
Initial log interpretations, combined with the hydrocarbon shows, indicate reservoir quality sandstones with potential oil pay in the U and T units of the Villeta formation, and in the Caballos formation.
The Pride-6 service rig is being mobilised to start tests of the hydrocarbon reservoirs hit during drilling. Testing is expected to begin mid-month, with work due to be wrapped up by the middle of next month.
The Pride-17 rig, which drilled Costayaco-2, and is being moved to the Costayaco-3 location. Drilling is expected to start later this month and be completed in late February.
Production from Costayaco-1 has increased to about 3500 barrels of oil per day, as a result of commingling the Caballos and the Villeta T zones.
Costayaco-1 oil production is currently being trucked to new offloading facilities at Uchupayaco which is connected to existing pipeline infrastructure. Any crude oil production from Costayaco-2 will be trucked to the same facilities.
Preparations for the 11-kilometre pipeline from the Costayaco field to Uchupayaco are under way. Upon completion, this pipeline will replace trucking operations.
Meanwhile, a 70 square kilometre 3D seismic survey of the Costayaco oilfield has been completed. This data is being interpreted and will be used to identify the sites for future development wells in the Costayaco field. A 41 kilometre 2D shoot, which should help definte further exploration potential at the Chaza Block, is under way.
Solana holds a 50% working interest in Chaza with Gran Tierra Energy, the operator, holding the other 50% interest. The Chaza block is subject to a fiscally attractive Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos contract with no extra state participation.