Sound's Moroccan Reserves now Improved

Upstream minnow Sound Energy said its Sidi Moktar gas exploration permits in central Morocco have best-case reserves of 8.9 trillion ft³, following a survey by Echo Geoscience Management, it said November 30. The finding has "has significantly enhanced the company's view of the exploration potential and confirms the substantial upside of this pre-salt play," it said.

Sidi Moktar covers 2,700 km² of the Essaouira basin, central Morocco and contains an existing gas discovery in the Lower Liassic ("Kechoula") and significant pre-salt potential. Sidi Moktar is close to existing infrastructure and gas demand, including the large-scale Moroccan state owned OCP phosphate plant. 

EG undertook an independent preliminary technical evaluation of the available historical exploration well and 2D seismic data across the Sidi Moktar area with a focus on the under-explored pre-salt plays beneath the Argovian reservoir. It mapped a portfolio of 28 Liassic, Triassic and Paleozoic leads in a variety of hydrocarbon trap types across Sidi Moktar and much of the potential lies within 11 of the pre-salt Triassic and Paleozic leads. They range from 200bn ft³ to 2.5 trillion ft³ each.  The EG study highlights an exploration potential best case of 8.9 trillion ft³, with a high of 11.2 trillion ft³ and a low case of 6.7  trillion ft³ unrisked gas originally in place (gross).  It did not say what they were before the EG study.

Sound expects to shortly sign a new eight-year exploration permit for Sidi Moktar covering a larger area of 4,499 km², with a 75% stake, the rest belonging to the state Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines.  Then it will focus on addressing the critical risks with the expectation of increasing the chance of geological success to greater than 30% before drilling.  Preparations for the new 2D seismic programme are already underway, it said.