(Ecofin Agency) - San Leon Energy has today announced the results of the Laayoune-4 well on the Tarfaya conventional licence, onshore Morocco in the Sahara region.

The well which was formerly known as El Aaiun-4 was drilled with Entrepose Drilling's Cabot 750 rig, targeting Tertiary channel sandstones and with an expected total depth of around 2000 metres below rotary table.

Gas shows were encountered within the reservoir section, whose gross thickness of 23 metres of sandstone and conglomerate was around 10 metres more than prognosed.  Reservoir interval porosity was up to 18, with some carbonate laminae.  The reservoir was encountered, some 100 metres more shallow to prognosis, and confirmed the geological concept of a thick sand channel system.

A gas and liquid kick was taken while drilling below the reservoir interval, leading to total depth being called early on the well at 1814 metres below rotary table. The mud weight used was relatively heavy at 14 ppg (pounds per gallon), and no considerable mud losses were observed while drilling the target interval, given good evidence for the over pressured nature of the formation. Energy-pedia reports

“We are very pleased with the results of the Laayoune-4 well.  Confirming the presence of gas shows and good reservoir quality is encouraging for the potential of the block and leads naturally to applying for a new eight year licence in the area, which would allow for seismic acquisition to be performed over the full channel complex.  It would also enable additional data to be acquired over the deeper Jurassic and Triassic prospects. We are grateful to the operational team and to the local workers who together ensured that the well was drilled efficiently and safely.” Oisin Fanning, San Leon Executive Chairman, said.

Laayoune-4 has currently been suspended, awaiting further studies and to allow future re-entry.  The National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining The National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining (ONHYM) and San Leon however plan to jointly apply for a new eight year exploration licence.  San Leon intends, during the first period of the new licence, to acquire a 3D seismic survey across the multiple channels of the Tertiary play, one channel of which was drilled by the Laayoune-4 well.  Based upon the results of the seismic, San Leon would consider the option of re-entering the Laayoune-4 well; which including testing, drilling an additional well, or both.