Who Dat East in GOM Shows Positive Potential: Karoon Energy

Karoon Energy Limited said its Who Dat East exploration and appraisal well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has shown positive potential.

Karoon reported that the MC 509-1 well reached a depth of 21,700 feet (6,614 meters) measured depth (MD) in the 12-¼-inch hole section. Intermediate wireline logging was completed prior to setting 9-⅞-inch casing, and the well will drill ahead in an 8-1/2-inch hole to a planned final total depth of 25,918 feet (7,900 meters).

Logging While Drilling (LWD) and wireline logging data have indicated that a number of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstones have been encountered within the targeted Middle Miocene turbidite sequences, Karoon said in a news release.

Interpretation of the data indicates a hydrocarbon-bearing aggregate total net pay thickness of 144.3 feet (44 meters) MD within the targeted intervals, with 101.7 feet (31 meters) MD within two discrete reservoir units, according to the release.

The wireline logging data, reservoir fluid samples and other geoscience data will be subject to laboratory analyses and further studies to determine the resource potential of the hydrocarbon zones encountered to date, Karoon said, adding that it plans to complete running 9-⅞-inch casing before drilling to the planned total depth of approximately 25,918 feet (7,900 meters) MD, to test the remaining targets.

Karoon Managing Director and CEO Julian Fowles said, “Preliminary interpretation of the well data from the Who Dat East exploration/appraisal well is positive. The early results indicate potential for a continuous hydrocarbon phase in a number of high-quality sands correlated to the nearby MC-509 Exxon #1 exploration well. Once the remaining targets have been drilled and final TD logging completed, we shall be in a better position to evaluate any potential impact on hydrocarbon volumetrics at Who Dat East, with a view to determining the commerciality of a potential development. Furthermore, this early success at Who Dat East supports our belief that there is exploration upside potential that can be unlocked surrounding Who Dat. Once drilling is complete the well will be suspended as a potential future producer, pending the results of further analysis”.

In May, the Noble Valiant drillship spudded the Who Dat East exploration/appraisal well.

Who Dat East is estimated to contain 5.4 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) of 2C contingent resources net to Karoon on a net revenue interest (NRI) 1 basis and 10.7 MMboe of unrisked 2U prospective resources net to Karoon on a NRI basis. The aggregate geological probability of success is estimated to be 62 percent. The well is expected to cost $50 million to $56 million net to Karoon, including a two-for-one carry, capped at $23 million.

The Who Dat East joint venture participants on a working interest basis are operator LLOG Exploration Company, L.L.C. with a 40 percent stake, Karoon with 40 percent, and Westlawn with 20 percent. 

Who Dat is a conventional deepwater oil and gas operation located in approximately 2624.7 feet (800 meters) of water offshore Louisiana within the federal waters of the U.S. GOM. Earlier in the month, the Who Dat East appraisal/exploration well and the Who Dat South exploration well offshore were approved for drilling by their respective joint ventures.

To contact the author, email rocky.teodoro@rigzone.com