Continental Focus, International Reach

Mazarine Contracts Rig for Tunisia Drilling

Friday, November 21, 2014

Mazarine Energy’s  subsidiary, Mazarine Energy Tunisia B.V., has signed a drilling contract with Compagnie Tunisienne de Forage (CTF) for the use of the CTF-4 for a two-well drilling campaign on the Zaafrane permit in central Tunisia. The spud date of the first well, Cat-1, is anticipated in late-January.

Earlier this year the company acquired 330 sq km of seismic data over what is considered the most prospective area of the permit between two sets of producing fields, Sabria and El Franig to the west, and the Baguel and Tarfa to the east. The company is also reprocessing 900 km of vintage 2D seismic data.

Interpretation of the new seismic data produced a portfolio of attractive prospects and leads. The company has identified a first prospect in the north-western part of the permit, relatively close to the producing field Sabria.

 The CTF-4 drilling rig is estimated to arrive at the Cat-1 drilling site in early-January. The Cat-1 will be drilled to a depth of 3,850 meters to evaluate the Lower Ordovician Hamra and El Atchane sandstone reservoirs. 

Mazarine said that if hydrocarbons are encountered it plans to develop the field within two years. To evaluate well performance an extended production test will be considered before development.

The Cat-1 location has been surveyed, geotechnical evaluation of the site has been completed, and construction of the location has commenced. Contracts for additional services required to execute the 2015 drilling campaign are currently under various phases of technical and commercial tender evaluation. A number of service contracts have been awarded.

Mazarine Energy is operator of the Zaafrane permit and owns a 45% interest. ETAP holds 50% and Tunisian private company MEDEX 5%.

“The newly acquired 3D seismic looks highly promising with new prospects and leads identified,” said Mazarine Energy Executive Chairman Edward van Kersbergen. “We are excited to have signed the drilling contract. This puts us in place to start the exploration campaign as soon as January 2015.”


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