HOUSTON (Oil & Gas Journal) – Aral Petroleum Capital has spud an exploratory well between two producing wells in Kazakhstan’s East Zhagabulak field as the first step in a plan aimed at expanding the area held by the partners under a 25-year production license in Aktobe oblast.

Well EZ-308 was spud July 16 and will take 100 days to reach 4,700 m. It targets the same Carboniferous structure of the Bashkirian layer from which the two earlier successful wells are making 400 b/d of oil. The well is one of six drilling targets approved July 8 by the Central Development Committee.

Aral Petroleum, the operating entity, is owned 60% by Asia Sixth Energy of China and 40% by Caspian Energy Inc., Calgary.

A second rig was en-route to a location southwest of East Zhagabulak field known locally as Sakramabas and is expected to spud the CDC-approved Sakramabas-316 well by the end of July. Seismic analysis indicates the potential for a high-porosity carbonate reef. Projected TD is 4,500 m.

Neighbors have drilled successful wells on surrounding leases, and 3D seismic indicates more favorable geology at the 316 site, Caspian Energy said.