Group news

First gas shale frac in North Africa

Perenco Tunisia has performed two successful fraccing operations on the El Franig field in Tunisia, as part of the field's enhanced oil recovery programme.

On 22 March fraccing occurred at a total depth of 4000m in well #1 in the Hamra Quarzite reservoir.  Approximately 45 tonnes of ceramic sand were pumped into the  formation, opening an estimated 500 ft fracture.  The subsequent first well test results confirm the potential for doubling current gas production to 10 mmscfd, with possible further increases once the clean-up operation has been completed.
 
On 23 March fraccing occurred at a total depth of 3950m in well #5 in the Silhurian gas shales reservoir.  600 m3 of water charged with thin sand were pumped into the source rock formation, generating a dense complex of micro-fractures.  This is the first fraccing of shale gas in North Africa, designed to assess the possible development for additional reserves on the El Franig field.  

The results confirm Perenco's commitment to remain a leading and innovative operator of Tunisian tight & unconventional gas.  Six months of preparation with Perenco's drilling, production and completion experts, our Partner ETAP and a special division from Schlumberger, have all been integral to the significant success of this very important operation.