Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL) reported on 28 April 2020 in the quarterly report that it had re-entered the Margand X-1 (also called Mor Gandh X-1) discovery well within the MargandÂ 2866-4Â EL (Kirthar Fold Belt) onshore licence and it was deepened to a TD of 5,100 m before initiating testing in a deeper section of Jurassic Chiltan Formation. It was subsequently reported to have flowed around 15 MMcfg/d through 128/64" choke during testing along with 120 b/d of water.   PPL had earlier reported the gas discovery in this well on 23 December 2019 after drilling to a TD of 4,500 m. A drill stem test (DST) was carried out 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 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 had a potential to flow at higher rates through acid stimulation. This was 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.
Pakistan (Kirthar Fold Belt) Margand X-1 op. by PPL (100%) in Margand 2866-4 EL block, gas discovery in the Bajocian-Callovian Chiltan Fm, DST'd 10,7 MMcfg/d + 132 b/d liquids [1" choke], could contain 1 Tcf of gas in new play type, operator is claiming to have made the nationâs largest discovery in more than a decade although analyst sources caution it is premature to make such a boast.