Sound Energy PLC (LON:SOU) is preparing to assess the untapped potential of two wells at Sidi Moktar – its second licence in Morocco.
Work on the previously-drilled Koba-1 and Kamar-1 is expected to kick-off by the end of the month.
Each will be subject to a two-phase workover that will test respectively the Argovian and Dogger formations.
Sidi Moktar is estimated to be host to 293bn standard cubic feet of gas on the Kechoula portion of the licence.
However, a quantitative assessment carried out by the previous operator put the exploration potential of the asset at a world-class 9 trillion cubic feet of gas.
The TAGI and Paleozoic reservoirs – found at Tendrara, on the company’s main Moroccan asset – hold the key to the scale of Sidi Moktar.
Plenty of work to be done
Sound said it will have to re-appraise existing 2D seismic on the, shoot its own 2D and interpret drill results before it can make an up to date estimate of what lies beneath the surface at Sidi Moktar.
Returning to the drill plan: should the wells deliver a commercial flow rate, the company will carry out an extended well test, before delivering first commercial gas to the domestic market, possibly by the end of the year. The local phosphate industry is a big energy consumer.
"Sidi Moktar represents one of many exciting opportunities for operational success to add material value to our business in the near future,” said chief executive James Parsons.
“The Sidi Moktar licences are estimated to have significant pre-Jurassic exploration potential from the TAGI and Paleozoic, similar to our Tendrara licence in Eastern Morocco, reinforcing our strategy of identifying opportunities that can bring near term benefit to Sound Energy and can be progressed quickly from an infrastructural perspective.
Significant upside
“We continue to believe that Morocco is an exciting hydrocarbon province with significant upside for Sound, and look forward to updating the market on progress in due course."
“Sidi Moktar covers 2,700 square-kilometres in the Essaouira basin, central Morocco, and is close to existing infrastructure.”
Sound has two major gas assets in Morocco and licences in Italy where the Badile well, near Milan, is currently being drilled