United Energy Pakistan (UEP) has discovered gas in Bitro 1 new field wildcat (NFW) well within the Latif 2669-3 EL (Lower Indus Basin) onshore concession during early December 2019. After drilling to a TD of 3,613 m, a modular dynamic test (MDT) was carried out and the well is reported to have flowed gas at a rate of 28.6 MMcfg/d through 44/64" choke at a wellhead flowing pressure (WHFP) of 3,116 psi from the perforated zone between 3,354 m to 3,360 m depth in 'B-Sand' unit of Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation. It also flowed water at a rate of 152 b/d. The well was spudded on 6 October 2019 using the Schlumberger's SLR-215 land rig with a prognosed TD of 3,647 m in the Cretaceous. It was reported to have been drilling at 1,480 m depth by mid-October 2019 and had reached 2,981 m by the end of October before progressing to the final TD of 3,613 m in mid-November 2019.    The Latif EL block, located in the Sindh province, currently covers an area of 547 sq km and the equity split is as follows: UEPL (33.4%, operator), Eni Pakistan Ltd (33.3%) and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (33.3%). UEPL had acquired Latif EL from OMV following the signing of USD 193 million (EUR 157 million) agreement on 28 February 2018 under which OMV sold its upstream business in Pakistan to United Energy. The transaction was completed on 28 June 2018.    UEPL was granted an extension to the second two-year renewal period of the Latif EL from 1 November 2018 to 30 November 2019.     Â     Background Information    Latif EL was originally awarded to OMV (Pakistan) Exploration GmbH on 23 October 2003 with an area of 1.498 sq km. The work programme for the three-year Phase-I of initial exploration phase (with a minimum financial commitment of USD 5.15 million) is believed to include G&G studies, 1,000km 2D seismic reprocessing, 300 sq km 3D seismic acquisition and the drilling of one exploration well to penetrate the Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation or a depth of 3,400m (whichever is shallower).     A total of 348 sq km 3D seismic was acquired over the acreage between July-December 2005, which supplemented the earlier acquisition of 362 sq km 3D seismic and 71 line km 2D seismic between December 2004-April 2005.     The licence was granted a six-month extension to the Phase-I with effect from 23 October 2006 and the first well to be drilled during the licence term, Latif 1, was declared a gas condensate discovery in March 2007. The Latif 1 well was reported to have encountered a total of 18.7 m net gas / condensate pay in three layers between 3,200-3,450m on reaching a final TD of 3,520m in the Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation in February 2007 - two of which were successfully tested. Although preliminary results show that the well is capable of flowing over 1,700 boe/d (10 MMcf/d) from the tested zones, the actual flow potential and size of the field will only be determined following a long-term test and appraisal - a 3D seismic acquisition programme planned over the structure in addition to the drilling of further wells.     The licence area was increased to 1,743 sq km in early 2007. The contract enters to two-year Phase-II of initial term on 1 July 2007 along with reduction in area to 1,219 sq km.     In addition to appraising reservoir sands, it is reported that the Latif 2 appraisal well also discovered an additional hydrocarbon-bearing zone at a shallower depth. The well was suspended as a potential gas producer in June on reaching a final TD of 3,488m and a total of 422.86 sq km 3D appraisal seismic was acquired over the discovery area between March-June 2008. A further appraisal well, Latif 3, was P&A on reaching a final TD of 3,500m in February 2009.     OMV was granted the first two-year renewal with effect from 1 July 2009 with reduction in area to 874 sq km. The second two-year renewal was awarded with effect from 1 July 2011 along with area reduction to 547 sq km.
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].