GeoPark has pulled off a new gas discovery in Chile – the Jauke Oeste gas field discovery through the drilling of the Jauke Oeste 1 exploration well in the onshore Fell block.

The Latin American oil and gas company is the 100% owner of the Fell block where it drilled and completed the exploration well to a total depth of 9,596 feet, just less than a kilometer north of the producing Jauke gas field.

GeoPark said that a production test in the Tobifera formation, through different choke sizes, led to an average production rate of 4.4 million standard cubic feet per day of gas (or 729 boepd) and also 52 bopd of condensate. The wellhead pressure was found to be 3,141 pounds per square inch.

The Latin American oil and gas company said that further production history is needed to establish stabilized flow rates of the well and also the extent of the reservoir.

GeoPark said that surface facilities are in place and the Jauke Oeste 1 is in production, with the gas and condensate from it already being sold to offtakers.

Both the Jauke Oeste gas field and the Jauke gas field are part of the large Dicky geological structure in the Fell block, which is believed to have the potential for facilitating drilling of multiple development opportunities.

The Jauke gas field for the record was discovered in August 2018 and is currently producing around 8.4 million standard cubic feet per day from a couple of wells.

GeoPark said that it will undertake more exploration activities in Chile during the current quarter, that will focus on oil prospects.

The Latin American oil and gas company will start drilling of the Leun 1 exploration well in the 100% owner Flamenco block this month. After this, GeoPark will drill the Huillin 1 exploration well in the Isla Norte block, where it has a 60% stake and the Koo 1 exploration well in the Campanario block, where it has an operating stake of 50%.

Commenting on the Jauke Oeste gas field discovery, James F. Park – CEO of GeoPark, said: “Congratulations and thanks again to GeoPark’s creative exploration team for continuing to open up new geological plays and build on our steadily-expanding production, reserve and resource base.”

Last month, GeoPark completed its previously announced £242 million all-cash acquisition of UK-based Amerisur Resources. Read about GeoPark acquisition of Amerisur Resources here.

  Chile, Fell block, GeoPark, James F. Park, Jauke gas field, Jauke Oeste gas field