Predator Oil & Gas Holdings plc has started the regulatory approval process for rigless testing of the MOU-1 well for the Guercif petroleum agreement, onshore Morocco.
WRITTEN INTENT
The company has sent a written outline to the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) on the testing programme, intervals to be tested and the quantities of explosive required.
ONHYM has sent a letter to the Ministry of the Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and to the governor of the Guercif region to inform them of the proposed testing operations.
After receipt of the ONHYM letter has been acknowledged, Predator must write to the regional director of Energy and Mines to request a meeting with the committee in charge of the explosive authorisation
EXPLOSIVES
Discussions with the committee will focus on when the explosives will be transported under police escort from the bunker in Casablanca to the MOU-1 well site, and the date of the rigless well test.
The company will also meet local authorities in Guercif to explain the rigless well test perforating procedures and the proposed timescale.
“This is the normal practice in Morocco for the use of explosives in well operations,” said Predator.
The company added that well perforating operations had only been carried out once during the past 51 years in the Guercif licence area.
NEXT STAGE
Executive chairman Paul Griffiths said that, following approval, the company aimed to begin MOU-1 rigless testing of the well, which was drilled and completed in 2021, at the very earliest opportunity.
“Options for the implementation of the next stage of drilling operations in Guercif are in the process of being finalised but are unlikely to be completed before the rigless MOU-1 well testing commences.”