24-04-08 Australian company Buccaneer Energy announces that the second well in the Pompano field was successfully tested in two gas-productive sands totalling 74 feet (22.4 metres) of net gas pay found in the well. Buccaneer has a 65 % working interest in the well.
This is a dual completion well, allowing for two sand intervals to be produced simultaneously. The well’s Operator, AnaTexas Offshore, plans to put the well into production soon.

“These two sands are expected to produce at a combined rate of 7 mm cfpd plus 30 barrels of high quality condensate,” says Director Mr Dean Gallegos. “We’re pleased to report that the level of production surpasses our expectations of 6.0 mm cfpd.”
Notably, the pressure reading from the E Sand was estimated to be a 4,820 psi bottom hole pressure (BHP), which the Operator advises is a near-virgin pressure. With the pre-drill estimate of 2,500 psi BHP, it is evident that the E Sand has repressurized since it was last drilled in 1982. According to the Operator, this increased BHP in the E Sand will have a positive impact on recoverable reserves.

This successful well follows on from the Pompano # 1 well that was drilled in January 2008 and was put into production in mid March 2008 at the rate of 7 mm cfpd.
“Buccaneer has a 65 % working interest in the Pompano project including these first two wells, which is relatively a high level compared to other companies in similar arrangements. The Pompano gas field lies offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, in Brazos Block 446-L SE/4, which is approximately 90 miles southwest of Houston, Texas. The field is approximately 11 km offshore in 55 feet of water."

The Pompano gas field was discovered in 1966 and produced over 120 bn cf of gas prior to being shut-in in 2003. The Pompano Project is essentially a re-development of the Pompano gas field with new well locations based on modern 3D seismic data.
Well #1 was directionally drilled in January 2008 from the field’s existing “B” satellite platform to 7,825 feet measured depth. Well #1 intersected three gas bearing sands located between 6,700 feet and 7,426 feet measured depth (“MD”) which were successfully flow tested. Production commenced from this well in early March 2008 from the B and 6700A sands.

Well #2 spudded in late February 2008 and was directionally drilled from the field’s existing “A” Production Platform. Well #2 encountered several gas bearing sands between 7,300 feet and 8,980 feet MD. The well has been completed using a dual string completion over the B and E sands so as to enable concurrent production of these two zones. It is expected Well #2 will be placed on production around the end of April 2008.
The Pompano Project is using the field’s extensive existing production and pipeline facilities, which has achieved a significant capital cost saving and a reduction in time to production for the project.