Block 32
Tasour
DNO took over Block 32 in 1998 from Clyde Petroleum and Norsk Hydro; both of who had already found oil in the Tasour-1 well. At the time, the assumption was that the Tasour reservoir contained approximately 5 million barrels of oil, but analyses performed by DNO suggested that it was almost twice as large. The distorted seismic images caused by large faults and very rough surface topology above the reservoir explains the low reserve estimates in the early phase.
DNO concluded that even a small discovery could be developed economically, and production started in November 2000. A major breakthrough was the drilling of Tasour-7 in 2002. This well almost tripled the ultimate reserve estimate to 20 million barrels. So far DNO has produced 36.6 million barrels and the ultimate reserves estimate is more than 40 million barrels.
Tasour reached plateau production level of 17-20,000 barrels per day in 2003-2004, and 26 wells have been drilled so far in order to maximize the reserves.
Godah
The second oil field on Block 32, Godah, was discovered in 2006 and is expected to produce 6 million barrels of oil. DNO started exploration in the Godah area based on a discovery of natural gas on the neighboring Block 14 to the south.
The Godah reservoir consists of a thin sandstone layer, which at its thickest is not more than four meters. So far, 12 wells have been drilled and put in production; total production to date is 3.8 million barrels.
License: Block 32
Share: 38.95%
Operator: DNO
Status: Producing/Exploration
Block 43
Nabrajah
The Nabrajah field was discovered in April 2004, with production beginning in July 2005, six months after DNO submitted the Notice of Commercial Discovery to the authorities in Yemen. In order to achieve the initial oil production in the shortest time possible, temporary production equipment was rented while the permanent facilities were constructed.
At the Nabrajah field, oil is produced both from the Qishn formation sandstone reservoirs and from the deeper Shuqra and Basement formations consisting of fractured carbonates and fractured basement.
Initially, DNO estimated the recoverable reserves to be approximately 6 million barrels of oil. We have now produced 12 million barrels; the current ultimate reserve estimate is close to 15 million barrels.
License: Block 43
Share: 56.67%
Operator: DNO
Status: Producing/Exploration
Block 47
Yaalen
The Yaalen field was discovered when the Yaalen-1 well was drilled in 2008. At that time, the field was considered sub-commercial, however when Yaalen-3 was drilled in 2010 significantly larger volumes were revealed. A Notice of Commercial Oil was then submitted in March 2011.
The reserves for the first phase of the development are estimated to be 6-7 million barrels of oil from the Qishn formation. A total of 80% of Block 47 has been relinquished in connection with the transition from exploration to development phase.
Sharnah
In 2008, DNO drilled the Sharnah-1 well, also located in the Qishn sandstone formation. Sharnah-2 was drilled in 2010, but unfortunately proved that Sharnah was smaller field than previously hoped for.
License: Block 47
Share: 40%
Operator: DNO
Status: Development/Exploration
Block 53
Sharyoof
As a partner, DNO owns nearly 25% of the Sharyoof field, a field similar to the Tasour field and producing only from the Qishn sandstone reservoir.
The reserve estimates have increased significantly over the years. The field development was based on an initial reserve estimate of 25 million barrels of oil in the Qishn reservoir; the current estimate for ultimate recovery is 45-50 million barrels. Production from Sharyoof started in December 2001; total production to date is 43 million barrels.
Bayoot
South of the Sharyoof field, oil has been discovered in fractured basement and Madbi sandstones and carbonates. Oil production from the Bayoot field began in September 2006. After drilling Bayoot-10, the ultimate reserve estimate is 11-14 million barrels; 5 million barrels have already been produced.
License: Block 53
Share: 24.45%
Operator: Dove Energy
Status: Producing/Exploration
Block 72
Gabdain
Block 72 was awarded to DNO and partners in July 2005. After drilling two dry exploration wells, Gabdain-1 uncovered a gas/condensate discovery in the Kohlan formation. The Gabdain discovery is undergoing further evaluation to define possible additional appraisal drilling targets. The company Total has farmed in to the block with a 36% working interest and will take over as operator as soon as the formalities are completed.
License: Block 72
Share: 18%
Operator: DNO
Status: Exploration