Sercel launches new broadband vibrator

Sercel has unveiled its new broadband vibrator, the Nomad 65 Neo, at the Geo 2014 convention in Bahrain.

The Nomad 65 Neo optimizes broadband acquisition, by bringing down the sweep start’s frequency at full drive from 7 to 5.4Hz. Therefore, the time spent in emitting the very low frequencies from 1Hz will be significantly reduced, with a positive impact on crew production and cost. The Nomad Neo will facilitate the recording of an extra low frequency bandwidth that has proved to be very beneficial for vertical resolution and seismic inversion. Many of the vibrator’s components have also evolved to provide improved ergonomics.

A newly developed  feature of the new Nomad 65 Neo is the IPM (Intelligent Power Management). This onboard software technology reduces environmental impact by performing an electronic control and regulation of the vibrator engine’s RPM to match engine load, allowing for an appreciable fuel saving. This option can also now be integrated into previous-generation Nomad 65 vibrators.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By O'Niel Petroserve Nigeria Ltd, online.

CGG completes airborne geomapping of Benin

CGG and the Benin Ministry of Energy, Mining and Petroleum Research, and Renewable Energy Development (MERPMEDER) have announced the completion of an onshore country-wide airborne geophysical survey of the Republic of Benin.

The survey program was commissioned by the Government of Benin to enhance the development of Benin’s natural resource sector, including both petroleum and mineral resources.

Altogether approximately 160,000 line km of magnetic and radiometric data and 16,000 line km of FALCON Airborne Gravity Gradiometer data were acquired from May to October 2013. The airborne data has been processed and is currently in the final stages of geological interpretation at CGG’s interpretation center in Perth.

All products from the program, including a Natural Resource Prospectivity report and updated geological maps, will be placed on the Benin Government’s open-file system. Visitors to the PDAC show in Toronto can view the data on CGG booth 203.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By O'Niel Petroserve Nigeria Ltd, online.

Mexco Energy Corp. announces drilling of properties, acquisition

Mexco Energy Corporation has announced the drilling of certain properties in the Permian basin of West Texas and the acquisition of producing properties in four states.

Mexco Energy Corporation is participating as a working interest owner in a JV drilling four vertical development wells to a depth of 11,000 ft on 160 acre spacing in the Dean, Wolfcamp, Cline and Atoka formations on 640 acres in Reagan County, Texas.  Initial per day production rates from two of these wells respectively are 128 bbl of oil and 110,000 cubic feet of natural gas and 94 bbl of oil and 179,000 cubic feet of natural gas.  Mexco' s working interest in this JV is .3% (.24% net revenue interest).

These wells will hold the deep rights for further development by horizontal drilling.  The Wolfcamp formation in this area is an approximately 1,700 ft thick section consisting of interbedded organic shales and carbonates and includes two reservoir units, the "A" and "B" benches that have both been successfully developed with horizontal wells.  These four vertical wells in Reagan County, Texas, are in addition to two horizontal wells in which Mexco is also participating in Reagan County, Texas.

Also, Mexco has acquired for $450,000, a package of non-operated producing properties consisting of 10 oil wells and 1 gas well located in Webster Parish, Louisiana; Eddy County, New Mexico; Billings County, North Dakota; and, Nolan and Smith Counties, Texas.  The purchase price was funded from the company' s $4.9 million bank credit facility.

This purchase, effective March 1, 2014, includes working interests ranging from 27.5% to .13% (net revenue interests of 24.06% - .11%) adding estimated net proved reserves of approximately 35,000 boe at a cost of $12.86 per bbl.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By O'Niel Petroserve Nigeria Ltd, online.

Europa announces renewal of Tarbes Val d’Adour permit, onshore France

Europa Oil & Gas has announced the renewal of its 100% owned Tarbes Val d’Adour permit, in the proven Aquitaine basin, onshore France.

The permit has been extended until January 2015. Tarbes Val d' Adour contains several oil accumulations that were previously licensed by Elf but were abandoned in 1985 due to a combination of technical issues and low oil prices. Two fields, Jacque and Osmets, were drilled using vertical wells which generated modest production levels.

Hugh Mackay, CEO of Europa, said, “Thanks to previous operators recovering modest quantities of oil from two fields on the permit, Tarbes is an appraisal rather than an exploration project.  While not on the same scale as our potential company-making Bearn des Gaves permit onshore France and our two Kosmos Energy operated licences offshore Ireland, Tarbes offers a relatively low cost business development opportunity. In tandem with our on-going farm-out discussions for the Bearn des Gaves permit, we will now look to secure a partner with whom we can look to advance Tarbes in the limited time available.

“Elsewhere in our portfolio, we remain on course to drill two wells onshore UK in 2014, starting with the Wressle prospect in the first half of the year and Kiln Lane in the second, each with a one in three chance of success. Offshore Ireland, we expect to complete the interpretation of the 3D seismic survey acquired in Q3 2013 by the end of June 2014, at which time decisions will be made in respect of drilling the Kiernan and Mullen prospects. This is an exciting period for the company and I look forward to providing further updates on our progress in due course.”

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By O'Niel Petroserve Nigeria Ltd, online.