On 27 January 2020, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) confirmed that the Mahani 1 wildcat had tested gas and condensate within its 264 sq km onshore Block B concession. The well had been spudded with a Cretaceous, Thamama Formation primary objective during late December 2018. It was subsequently drilled to TD at 4,449m (14,597ft) during 4Q 2019, following which it tested gas at rates "up to" the equivalent of 50 million cubic feet a day (MMcf/d) along with associated condensate from Thamama carbonates. Eni SpA had confirmed its acquisition of a 50% stake in the concession on 13 January 2019 (post-spud).   SNOC on behalf of the Petroleum Council of the Emirate of Sharjah (SPC) launched the Sharjah 2018 License Round for three onshore blocks (A, B and C) in June 2018 for which bids had been due for submission on 9 December 2018.     The company      previously reported that it had completed a new 483 sq km 3D onshore      survey during February 2017, however it transpires that up to 851 sq km of      ânewâ onshore 3D and 200 sq km of 2013 vintage 3D data had been made      available. Of note is that SNOCâs initial interpretation of the newly acquired      seismic had led it to believe that âmostâ historical wells were either      drilled off structure or had failed to reach Thamama Group carbonate      objectives.   The      three onshore bid blocks offered by SNOC covered an area of 1,885 sq km.      They included developed hydrocarbon discoveries, along with a range of      undrilled leads, prospects and untested plays.   A      WesternGeco land crew had initiated SNOCâs latest seismic survey in late      October 2016. It was intended to support the forthcoming exploration      drilling campaign, which is being devised to help meet those growing      energy requirements through the discovery of additional domestic      resources. Seismic data processing was completed during 1H 2017 in      Schlumbergerâs Abu Dhabi processing center using reverse time migration to      image the complex geology.   During      February 2014 a decree signed by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin      Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah was      promulgated formally merging the Sharjah Liquefaction Gas Company (Shalco)      and Sharjah Oil Company (SOC) into a new entity to be known as the Sharjah      National Oil Corporation (SNOC). The SNOC is owned by the government, but      it operates autonomously on a commercial basis and is headquartered in      Sharjah City.   The      Sharjah Petroleum Council was created in 1999 as a result of a decree      issued by Shaikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. The council was charged      with oversight of the petroleum sector within the emirate, including      upstream and downstream planning policy, legislation and investment. The      council replaced the existing Department of Petroleum and Minerals which      had been undertaking these roles since 1972. The chairman of the      Department of Petroleum and Minerals, Shaikh Ahmad bin Sultan Al Qasimi      was appointed chair of the new council.
Mahani 1 (State SNOC 50% op, Eni 50%) in Area B Concession, onshore, TD=4 449m, gas discovery in Thamama limestone, tested up to 50 MMcf/d lean gas + associated condensate, appraisal drilling planned. The new phase of exploration in the area, which has already been explored in the past, is targeting complex subthrust Jurassic and Cretaceous plays of the Arabian carbonate platform in the inner thrust zone of the Oman Fold belt and requires accurate and sophisticated seismic imaging.