On 7 May 2019, Mazarine Energy announced that it tested oil at the exploration well Sidi Marzoug 1 (SMG-1) in the Zaafrane exploration permit, onshore Ghadames Basin. The well flowed at an equipment constrained rate of 2,000 b/d of oil and 5 MMcf/d of gas. The well will be completed for production and tied-in to the Ghrib production facilities located about 15 km north-west of SMG 1.  In early April 2019, industry sources indicated that SMG-1 was being tested in the Trias and that earlier testing in the Ordovician had been negative. In early February 2019, SMG-1 was suspended, awaiting test. Promising hydrocarbon shows were encountered in the well. On 10 August 2018 Mazarine spudded SMG-1. At the end of the month, the well was drilling ahead below 890 m and it reached a depth of 3,050 m in the Trias by the end of September. By late October, the well had reached a depth of 3,200 m in the Trias and in mid- December it had reached its TD of 3,880m in the Ordovician. Objectives of the well are the TAGI and the Ordovician sandstones. The Ordovician was expected at a depth of around 4,000 m.  In January 2018, industry sources suggested that Mazarine committed to drill SMG-1 in 2018. In April 2016, industry sources indicated that Mazarine planned to drill SMG-1. Operations were initially scheduled for late 2016-early 2017 and then postponed to mid-2017 but civil unrest in the region at the time must have prevented operations to be carried out as planned.  Mazarine made already two oil discoveries on the acreage: Chouchet El Atrous in May 2015 and Douar Ghrib 1 in September 2015. Both discoveries were made in the Lower Ordovician sandstones which are producing in the Sabria field around 5 km to the north-west. The discoveries were developed and brought on stream in October 2017.    Interests in the permit are shared between Mazarine (operator, 90%) and Medexâs Tunisian subsidiary Medex Petroleum (Tunisia) Ltd (10%). Etap is carried for 50%.     Background Information    Medex was awarded the 5,168 sq km permit on 20 February 2008. On 11 February 2014, Medex signed an agreement with Mazarine for the latter to take over the operatorship and to farm-in with a 90% interest in the permit.     The company was initially considering the re-entry of wildcat Algueia 1 in order to deepen the well to the Lower Ordovician sandstones. Amoco drilled new-field wildcat Algueia 1 in 1983. The wildcat tested from two different intervals in Triassic sandstones 230 b/d of which 20% was oil, and 236 b/d of which 40% of 40Â° API oil.     The main objectives in the area are the sandstones of the Lower Triassic TAGI and the Early Ordovician El Hamra and El Atchane formations. In addition, the sandstones of the basal Upper Permian and younger shallow marine channelized sandstones are also potential reservoirs. The Silurian shales are considered as an excellent source rock.
Sidi Marzoug 1 (SMG-1) ((Mazarine op. 90%, Medex Petroleum 10%. Etap is carried for 50%) in the Zaafrane exploration permit, onshore. The well flowed at an equipment constrained rate of 2000 b/d of oil and 5 MMcf/d of gas. The well will be completed for production and tied-in to the Ghrib production facilities located about 15 km north-west of SMG 1.