Orlen Upstream Goes Horizontal
Polish oil refiner PKN Orlen has started drilling its first horizontal well and plan to perform the first fracturing of a horizontal well section in Lubelskie region.
The well in Syczyn, Wierzbica concession area, will be the first horizontal well in the Lubelskie region and the second undertaking of this kind by Polish companies exploring for shale gas in the country.
Recently PGNiG started drilling its horizontal Lubocino-2H well in Wejherowo concession, in the Pomorze region.
Both state-controlled companies are at the forefront of the shale gas effort, supported by the government, seeking alternative sources of gas for Poland.
The decision to further test shale formations in Syczyn was taken after the company had drilled to almost 2900 metres in the same location at the end of 2011.
Orlen reported that 300 meters of rock core samples were “collected and examined in terms of organic matter content and mechanical properties”.
“The reservoir properties of the region's shale were also analysed in terms of porosity, permeability and crushability. The results prompted the decision to continue exploration in the area”.
“The design of the horizontal well provides for its location within the most promising strip of the explored shale formation” - the press note quotes CEO of Orlen Upstream Wieslaw Prugar – “We have completed a huge amount of engineering work and are optimistic about the results of the drilling in Syczyn".
According to the release, the work will continue for approximately two months and once the horizontal well is drilled, a fracturing operation and production test will be performed.
“The next stage will involve fracturing of the horizontal well section, never before performed in the Lublin region” – the company underlines.
The date of the fracturing treatment (…) will depend on a variety of factors, including weather conditions” – informs the company. According to our source at the company, the well may be fractured immediately after drilling or early next year.
The drilling will be performed by the Polish company PNiG Pila.
Natural Gas Europe also learned,that the total length of the wellbore would reach over 4,100m, with the kickoff point at the depth of 2,700m, and the directional well length of approximately 1,450m, including about 400m of curve section.
Several horizontal wells have been drilled in low porosity formations in Poland, including Lane Energy/ConocoPhillips wells in Lebien and Warblino and Aurelian’s Trzek.