Well results showcase potential for standalone shallow oil development off Guyana

Two oil and gas players – Canada’s CGX Energy and Frontera Energy – have revealed the well results for a discovery in the Corentyne block offshore Guyana, which serve to further highlight the potential for a standalone shallow oil resource development across the block.

According to CGX and Frontera, a total of 114 feet (35 meters) of net pay has been found at the Wei-1 well on the Corentyne block, approximately 200 kilometers offshore from Georgetown, Guyana. The well, located around 14 kilometers northwest of the joint venture’s previous Kawa-1 discovery, was safely drilled by Noble Corporation’s Noble Discoverer semi-submersible rig in a water depth of approximately 1,912 feet (583 meters) to a total depth of 20,450 feet (6,233 meters).

The Wei-1 well targeted Maastrichtian, Campanian, and Santonian aged stacked sands within channel and fan complexes in the northern section of the Corentyne block. The joint venture’s data acquisition program at the Wei-1 well included wireline logging, MDT fluid samples, and sidewall coring throughout the various intervals.

Based on this data acquisition program and additional information provided through the independent laboratory analysis process, Wei-1 test results confirm 13 feet (4 meters) of net pay in a high-quality sandstone reservoir in the Maastrichtian with rock quality consistent with that reported in the Liza discovery on Stabroek block.

The fluid samples retrieved from the Maastrichtian and log analysis confirm the presence of sweet medium crude oil with a gas-oil ratio (GOR) of approximately 400 standard cubic feet per barrel. In the Campanian, petrophysical analysis confirms 61 feet (19 meters) of net pay almost completely contained in one contiguous sand body with good porosity and moveable oil. The oil sampled during MDT testing as well as samples analyzed downhole confirm the presence of light crude oil.

Orlando Cabrales, CEO of Frontera, remarked: “The independent lab results from the Wei-1 well are particularly encouraging for the Maastrichtian zone. Results indicate that the rock quality in the Maastrichtian at Wei-1 is analogous to that reported in the Liza discovery on Stabroek block, further demonstrating the potential for a standalone shallow oil resource development across the entire Corentyne block.

“In addition, the joint venture believes that, further potential upside exists in the Campanian, in which mobile light oil was proven in downhole analysis of samples, and the Santonian, which has log pay and remains a potential target for future developments. As is normal course following discoveries such as those made by the joint venture at Wei and Kawa, additional appraisal activities will be required to further assess commerciality and as input to optimize subsurface and production system development planning.”

Furthermore, petrophysical analysis in the Santonian confirms 40 feet (12 meters) of net pay in blocky sands with indications of oil in core samples. As the current interpretation of the Campanian and Santonian horizons show lower permeability than the high-quality Maastrichtian, the joint venture partners believe these horizons may offer additional upside potential in the future. There were no safety or environmental incidents throughout Wei-1 well operations. The total costs associated with the Wei-1 well are now estimated to be within $185-190 million following the successful implementation of several initiatives.

Professor Suresh Narine, Executive Co-Chairman of CGX’s Board of Directors, stated: “The Wei-1 well met the joint venture’s expectations with the successful discovery of oil. Wei-1 also delivered a tremendous amount of data, which the joint venture is now incorporating into its geologic and geophysical models to update its initial evaluation of Kawa, and the potential in the Maastrichtian in particular, as well as its view of the potential of the remaining undrilled prospects including the prospective areas in between the Wei-1 and Kawa-1 wells.”

Moreover, CGX and Frontera underline that the results further demonstrate the potential for a standalone shallow oil resource development across the Corentyne block, as a total net pay of 342 feet (104 meters) has been discovered to date on the Corentyne block. In addition, the joint venture disclosed that Houlihan Lokey, a global investment bank and capital markets expert, is supporting the active pursuit of strategic options for the Corentyne block.

The Guyana partners confirm that this includes a potential farm-down, seeking to develop the “potentially transformational” oil investment in Guyana, which has become one of the most attractive oil and gas destinations in the world. However, there can be no guarantee that the review of strategic options will result in a transaction.

Gabriel de Alba, Chairman of Frontera’s Board of Directors, and Co-Chairman of CGX’s Board of Directors, commented: “On behalf of the joint venture, I am pleased to announce the discovery of 114 feet (35 meters) of net pay at the Wei-1 well. The proven presence of medium sweet crude oil in high-quality Maastrichtian cored reservoir at the Wei-1 well, combined with the previous discovery of 68 feet of hydrocarbon log pay in Maastrichtian blocky sands in the Kawa-1 well in 2022, has confirmed the significant potential of the Corentyne block.

“With the joint venture’s two-well drilling program now complete, and as a result of inbound expressions of interest from various global third parties, the joint venture is working with Houlihan Lokey to support a review of strategic options for the Corentyne block, including a potential farm-down, as it progresses its efforts to maximize value from its potentially transformational investments in Guyana.”

Based on results from the Wei-1 and Kawa-1 wells, CGX and Frontera retained Subsea Integration Alliance (SIA), a Subsea 7 – SLB joint venture, to complete a conceptual field development plan for the northern portion of the Corentyne block, including subsea architecture, development well planning, production and export facilities, and other considerations.

While additional appraisal activities will be required before commerciality can be determined, the joint venture believes that a potential development of the Maastrichtian horizon may have lower associated development costs and be completed on a faster timeline than a broader development of both the shallow and deep zones on the entire Corentyne block, as a result of the third-party analysis of the Wei-1 well test results.