Reliance Industries’ latest D-55 gas discovery, two-kilometres below the currently producing fields in the eastern offshore KG-D6 block, may span about 60 square kilometres, according to firm’s partner Niko Resources.
RIL and its partners had in May announced a major gas find more than four km below the sea bed and two—km directly underneath the currently producing D1&D3 field in the Krishna Godavari basin KG-D6 block off the east coast.
The find in the MJ-1 well was named Dhirubhai-55 (D-55).
“Initial evaluations indicate 155 metres of gross pay (125 metres of net pay) and a field size estimate of approximately 60 square kilometres,” said Niko, which holds 10 per cent interest in the KG-D6 block.
In comparison, the producing MA field in the KG-D6 block covers a reservoir area of 11 sq km.
RIL is the operator of the block with 60 per cent while the remaining 30 per cent is with BP plc of UK.
Niko said an initial appraisal programme of up to three wells should commence within 6 to 8 months pending government approvals and equipment availability.
Transocean drillship Dhirubhai Deepwater KG-1 (DDKG-1) is returning to RIL this month after ending its sub—let with state—owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC).
Sources said the block oversight panel, called the Management Committee which is headed by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), had late last month approved the appraisal plan.
RIL—BP plans to drill two appraisal wells, with an option for a third on the D—55 discovery.
Exploration well KGD6—MJ1, drilled by Transocean drillship Dhirubhai Deepwater KG—2, hit a thick gas condensate column of 155 metres in May.
“In March 2013, after a multi—year hiatus, exploration drilling recommenced in the D6 Block in India with the drilling of the MJ—1 exploration well. In May 2013, the joint venture partners announced a significant gas and condensate discovery,” Niko said.
The MJ—1 well was drilled in a water depth of 1,024 metres — and to a total depth of 4,509 metres.
D—55 is the 19th gas finds in the KG—D6 block where D1&D3 were put on production in April 2009. Together with MA oil field in the same block, D1&D3 is currently producing less than 14 million standard cubic meters per day of gas.