Italian energy conglomerate Eni has made a new gas and condensate discovery in the Mahani exploration prospect located onshore in the Area B Concession of Sharjah (UAE).
The concession was awarded to Eni in the first International Competitive Exploration Licensing Round conducted by the Petroleum Council of Sharjah, the company said in its statement.
The Mahani-1 was drilled to a total of 14,597 feet measured depth. The well encountered a thick gas-bearing limestone reservoir in the Thamama of Lower Cretaceous age. The well was tested with flow rates up to 50 Mscf/d (million cubic feet per day) of lean gas and associated condensate, Eni said.
The size of the discovery will be further assessed with additional appraisal drilling.
The new phase of exploration in the area, which has already been explored in the past, is targeting complex subthrust Jurassic and Cretaceous plays of the Arabian carbonate platform in the inner thrust zone of the Oman Fold belt and requires accurate and sophisticated seismic imaging.
Eni holds a 50 percent stake in the Concession Area B with SNOC, the National Oil Company of Sharjah, holding the remaining 50 percent and acting as Operator.
The JV has already started the studies to fast track the exploitation of these new resources leveraging on the synergies with the existing facilities and infrastructure while finalizing the evaluation of the discovery.