Valeura Successfully Tests Turkey Well

Turkey-focused Valeura Energy has successfully drilled and logged the Inanli-1 appraisal well in Thrace Basin.

The key objectives of the well were to prove that gas reservoir discovered in the Yamalik-1 exploration well is laterally continuous and is indicative of a basin-cantered gas accumulation, to test for effective reservoir and over-pressured gas at deeper depths than Yamalik-1, and to test for the presence of natural fracturing in the reservoir as predicted from the seismic and geological studies. All of these objectives have been met, the company said January 28.

The well recorded gas shows throughout drilling operations, and based on both drilling and wireline data, the 1,615 metre gross column below 3,270 metres is interpreted to contain over-pressured gas, it said.

“These results further support the interpretation of a basin-centered gas accumulation in the Thrace Basin. We are encouraged by the results and look forward to now drilling Devepinar-1, 20 kilometres west, to prove that the play is pervasive across the basin,” Valeura CEO Sean Guest said.

“Our attention is now turning to the completion and testing programme for Inanli-1. With several reservoir sweet spots, and intervals of increased natural fracturing identified, we are eager to test flow rates and are focused squarely on starting the completion process,” he added.

Inanli-1 was drilled safely to a total depth of 4,885 metres and is currently being cased and will be left in a state ready for completion, fracking, and production testing. The rig will be released from the location in the coming days and will begin relocating to the next appraisal well location, Devepinar-1, the company said.

Valeura and its partner Equinor are interpreting the Inanli-1 data gathered from drilling, logging, and core to define the fracking and completion programme. Fracking and testing operations are planned to commence around the end of 1Q.