France: Gallic Energy Spuds Ossun-2D Well

Calgary-listed Gallic Energy has announced that it has spudded the Ossun-2D well in southern France, targeting an area in the Aquitane Basin that had previously given natural gas shows.

The targeted area, which was first drilled in the 1960s, had previously been positive for natural gas shows. The well was drilled then by Société Nationale des Pétroles d'Aquitaine (SNPA, a legacy company of Total) and encountered natural gas. The company did not test this gas or produce from the well.

Gallic says that the formations the well is targeting are located  between 1,775 metres and 3,000 metres with its main target 200metre thick Cretaceous Flysch Carbonate at a depth of 2,700 metres, the depth at which SNPA encountered gas.

Gallic will utilise the existing casing on the Ossun-2D well, sidetracking into this casing at an approximate depth of 1,000 metres. A whipstock will now be set and Gallic's drilling will aim for a total depth of 3,000 metres.

Earlier this year, Gallic encountered difficulties with the existing casing at a depth of 1,334 metres. The company decided, based on these difficulties, that the workover rig initially used was not sufficient. The well plans were changed to accommodate these obstructions.

Gallic has a 100 per cent interest in the Ossun-2D well and the 320,000 acres on which it is located. Estimates on the field, provided by GLJ Petroleum Consultants, estimates petroleum initially-in-place at 248 billion cubic feet.

Gallic says that it expects results from the initial drilling within 45 days, depending on testing parameters.