GSPC to start horizontal drilling in Cambay basin soon

Optimistic on striking more gas in Cambay basin, the state-run Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) today said it will commence horizontal drilling of the onshore Cambay-76 H well in Gujarat this month.

"Cambay-76H well at Cambay Field near Khambat will be spudded this month using proven horizontal drilling multi-stage fracturing technology of Canada for enhanced output and production," a top GSPC official said.

It is a 'tight reservoir' where vertical drilling will not fetch expected production levels, so for the first time we have opted for this unique horizontal drilling process to exploit the reserves, he said.

The exploration and subsequent drilling of the well is likely to take approximately 35 days. A two-month production test will then be conducted, the official said.

Cambay Field is a joint venture between GSPC and Australia-based Oilex, where the former holds 55% stake and the latter 45%.

The reserves from the basin are subject to certification, a GSPC official said adding that a US-based international reserve certifying agency, Netherlands Sewell Associates Inc (NSAI) will certify the reserves.

The agency is in the process of completing the mandatory Independent Reserves Certification of the well, he said.

Once NSAI certifies reserves, we shall be approaching the management committee comprising of representatives from Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), Ministry of Oil, Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), and one representative each of the two consortium partners for final certification of reserves, the official said.

Oilex, the field operator has advised that Black Pearl Drilling Services will be the drilling contractor for the onshore well.

The drilling of this well will be a proof of this concept and shall be proving the efficacy of the technology, which can be adopted in 'tight reservoirs' for enhanced productions, the official said.

The Cambay Field contract area has considerable oil and gas resources. The field operator intends to further evaluate and exploit these through proven North American tight gas and 'shale gas' technology, including horizontal drilling and fracture stimulation, the official added.