Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL) reported on 23 December 2019 that it has discovered gas in Margand X-1 new-field wildcat (NFW) well within the MargandÂ 2866-4Â EL (Kirthar Fold Belt) onshore licence. The company carried out drill stem test (DST) after drilling to a TD of 4,500 m and it flowed 10.7 MMcfg/d and 132 b/d of liquids through 64/64" choke with a well head flowing pressure (WHFP) of 516 psi from the Jurassic Chiltan Limestone Formation. PPL was conducting the study about the nature of liquid which is assumed to be condensates. It was reported that the well has a potential to flow at higher rates through acid stimulation. This is the first discovery in Kalat Plateau, opening up a new area for hydrocarbon exploration.  Margand X-1 was the first well in the Margand EL block and it was spudded on 30 June 2019 using the âWDI-812â land rig with a prognosed TD of 4,500 m. Prior to initiating DST in early December 2019, PPL conducted wireline logging and modular dynamic testing which suggested the presence of hydrocarbons.   Margand X-1 was drilling at 1,168 m depth during mid-July 2019, reached 1,743 m by the end of the month and progressed to 2,116 m depth during mid-August 2019. It was drilling at 2,800 m depth by the end of August, reached 3,488 m by mid-September and 3,669 m depth during late September 2019. It was drilling at 3,703 m depth in October 2019, progressed to 4,279 m by mid-November and reached the final TD of 4,500 m in late November 2019.  Margand EL covers an area of 2,484 sq km and is located in Balochistan province. PPL currently hold 100% interest in the block.  PPL reported in the 2H 2018 report in March 2019 that it has acquired 2,434 line km gravity and magnetic data in the block. The company had earlier acquired 261 line km of 2D seismic (dynamite source) in the acreage between December 2017 to April 2018 using the BGP 9501-B seismic crew.   Â   Background Information  PPL (operator), along with OMV, were awarded the Margand exploration license, with the Petroleum Concession Agreement (PCA) having been signed on 28 February 2014. The equity split at the time of award was as follows: PPL (50%, operator) and OMV (50%).  It was subsequently announced in January 2017 that OMV has farmed out from the block assigning its full 50% interest to PPL, effective 30 June 2016.  PPL was granted a 12-month extension to the Phase-I of initial term for MargandÂ EL from 28 February 2017 to 27 February 2018. It was followed by a further 12-month extension to the Phase-I from 28 February 2018 to 27 February 2019. PPL was subsequently granted the renewal with licence entering into two-year Phase-II of initial term with effect from 28 February 2019.
Margand X-1 nfw. (PPL 100%) in Margand 2866-4 EL block, in Balochistan, TD=4500m, gas discovery in the Chiltan Fm, DST'd 10,7 MMcfg/d + 132 b/d liquids [1" choke].