Abstract
The East China Sea Basin located offshore China, consists of a series of rift-related northeast-southwest trending fault blocks, tilt blocks, and half-graben structures characterized by en echelon type faulting which are key features for enhancing prospectivity in the area. A series of recent discoveries by China`s Ministry of Geology (MOG) in the eastern portion of the basin (the Xihu Trough), have confirmed that significant potential does exist within the basin proper. However, exploration success within the western portion of the basin (the {open_quotes}Inner graben system{close_quotes}), has so far eluded foreign companies who were awarded eighteen lease blocks by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in 1993. Key risks are perceived to be source rock related. Five of the eighteen leases totalling 23,500 square kilometers, are currently held and operated by Primeline Petroleum Corporation (PPC), a small independent based in London. Recent studies indicate the southern-most lease (Block 32/32) has significant potential for a future commercial discovery. Two wells, Lingfeng-1 and Shimentan-1, were drilled within the block by MOG in 1985 and 1987. The Lingfeng-1 well, encountered and recovered high quality crude (API = 48 degrees) but was never properly tested for commerciality. Both wells encountered good quality source andmore » reservoir rocks. A total of eleven structural prospects have been defined within the block with potential recoverable reserves ranging from 114 to 276 MMBO per prospect. A test well is planned for the fall of 1996.« less
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
