Production Test Update: China
Roc Oil Company Limited
13 June 2006
13 June 2006
ROC OIL COMPANY LIMITED ('ROC')
STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE
PRODUCTION TESTING UPDATE:
WEI-6-12S-1, OIL DISCOVERY, OFFSHORE CHINA
KEY POINTS
• Production testing of each of three separate hydrocarbon columns
encountered by the Wei-6-12S-1 oil discovery offshore China, has resulted in
oil flows from all test zones and a total collective stabilised rate of up
to 5,750 barrels of oil per day ('BOPD').
• The next step in appraising the commercial potential of the field will
be drilling the first side-track well, Wei 6-12S-1Sa, which is designed to
locate and core the relevant reservoir intervals. This will commence later
this week.
1. OPERATIONS
Since the last Stock Exchange Release on 24 May 2006 regarding the Wei-6-12S-1
exploration well in Block 22/12, Beibu Gulf, offshore China, three separate
production tests have been conducted successfully. As at 0600 hours (local time)
13 June 2006, the current operation was preparing to drill a sidetrack hole,
primarily to obtain core data from the oil reservoirs.
2. PRODUCTION TEST RESULTS
As stated in previous Stock Exchange Releases, the Wei-6-12S-1 production
testing programme was designed to provide the Joint Venture with the maximum
amount of technical data for possible field development rather than maximum flow
rates.
2.1 Lower Sand Package
The first test had three main aims: to confirm the hydrocarbon type in the 111
metres gross column (35 metres net pay); to determine if a hydrocarbon-water
contact is present; and to provide productivity data.
The test perforated 12 metres between 2,435.5 metres below rotary table ('mBRT')
and 2,447.7 mBRT and flowed 35 degree API oil through various choke sizes, up to a
32/64 inch choke, at stabilised rates up to 1,725 BOPD.
The test conclusively proved that the hydrocarbon type present is oil. The test
did not produce any water, despite being located near the possible oil-water
contact, which strongly indicates that oil-water contact is not present in the
well. Preliminary pressure analysis confirms this and suggests that the
oil-water contact may be more than 20 metres down dip from the base of the oil
column seen in the well.
2.2 Middle Sand Package
The purpose of the second test was to obtain productivity data from the 65
metres gross oil column (31 metres net pay) encountered.
Specifically the test perforated a total of 28 metres over two zones, 2,228.5
mBRT to 2,241.5 mBRT and 2,201.0 mBRT to 2,216.0 mBRT. The test flowed 39 API
oil, through various choke sizes up to 48/64 inch, at stabilised rates up to
2,575 BOPD with no associated water production. The test results indicate that
the reservoir has good natural productivity.
2.3 Upper Sand Package
The third test aimed to provide productivity data from the 71 metres gross oil
column (14.5 metres net pay) in the upper sand package and to obtain further
insight as to how far down dip the oil bearing reservoir may extend.
This test perforated 16 metres between 2,054 mBRT and 2,070 mBRT and flowed 38
API oil, through various choke sizes up to 44/64 inch, at stabilised rates up to
1,450 BOPD.
The test results indicate a reasonably productive reservoir. Pressure gradient
information suggests that the oil column extends down structure from the
discovery well.
3. NEXT PHASE OF APPRAISAL PROGRAMME
The next phase of appraisal will be the drilling of a sidetrack hole close to
the original discovery well in an attempt to further delineate and core the
relevant reservoirs. The Wei 6-12S-1Sa sidetrack is expected to commence
drilling later this week. Due to the proximity of the sidetrack to the discovery
well, the Joint Venture does not expect to make any further Stock Exchange
announcements about the progress of drilling until this first sidetrack is
completed in late June.
It is anticipated that a second sidetrack well will be drilled after the first
sidetrack is completed. This second sidetrack will be designed to intersect the
various reservoir sands in a down dip position relative to the discovery well,
including the possible downdip development of a small sand section intersected
in the lower part of the upper sand package in the discovery well. This sand
section was not production tested in the discovery well but oil was recovered
during wireline sampling.
Another important phase of appraising the Wei South discovery is the integration
of well and seismic data to determine whether or not the various hydrocarbon
sands have recognisable seismic signatures. Initial results of this work are
encouraging.
4. CEO COMMENT
Commenting on the production test results of the well, ROC's Chief Executive
Officer, Dr John Doran stated that:
'The Joint Venture is maintaining its methodical approach to appraising the
commercial potential of the Wei South discovery and on the basis of the recent
production test results it would seem to be a case of - so far so good.'
The Block 22/12 Joint Venture comprises*:
Roc Oil (China) Company 40% and Operator
Horizon Oil Limited 30%
Petsec Energy Ltd 25%
Oil Australia Pty Ltd** 5%
*The China National Offshore Oil Company ('CNOOC') is entitled to participate up
to a 51% funding equity level in any commercial development within Block 22/12.
** A subsidiary of First Australian Resources
In accordance with new Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock
Exchange ('AIM') rules the information in this report has been reviewed by an
appropriately qualified person with more than 5 years relevant industry
experience, specifically, Dr John Doran, Bsc (Hons) Geology; M.Sc; PhD, Chief
Executive Officer, Roc Oil Company Limited, and a member of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers.
Michelle Manook For further information please contact:
General Manager - Corporate Affairs Dr John Doran on
Tel: +61-2-8356-2000
Fax: +61-2-9380-2635
Email: jdoran@rocoil.com.au
Or visit ROC's website: www.rocoil.com.au
Dr Kevin Hird
General Manager Business Development
Tel: +44 (0)207 586 7935
Fax: +44 (0)207 722 3919
Email: khird@rocoil.com.au
Nick Lambert
Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial
Tel: +44 (0)207 861 3232
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange