Stimulating Production in Mature Fields

Q: How is Area 6 won by the Golfo Suplemento Latino (GSL) consortium in Round 2.3 progressing?

A: GSL and consortium members Roma Energy, Tubular Technology, Suministros Marinos e Industriales de México received the exploration and evaluation plan from CNH but we are awaiting the MIA and SASISOPA permissions from ASEA before we can begin work. Because PEMEX already had an MIA on the Area 6, the consortium had to obtain an extension to the MIA. However, ASEA denied our request and so we were forced to start anew. We understand that ASEA is a fairly new and that delays will happen. Area 6 has 37 wells, of which five can be opened. These five need only minor work to enter production. At the moment, we have all the permissions necessary to drill three other wells: the AO exploration well and two appraisal wells, BO-Del, in Plan de Oro, and B3-Del, in Tres Higueras. We are confident that oil exists in these wells, and are simply awaiting permissions to begin. We hope that we will be able to start production toward the end of this year.

Q: GSL has provided maintenance services to five PEMEX refineries for over 18 years. What has changed in that time?

A: Working in the refineries has been complicated over the last two years. The five refineries we are working in are operating at an average of 30 percent capacity. There is no activity at all in Madero nor Minatitlan. There is some activity in Salamanca, but we are able to operate more effectively in Salina Cruz and Cadereyta. GSL has been holding meetings with the managers of each refinery to achieve an understanding of how the projects will move forward, but they are waiting for funding to arrive before decisions can be taken. Madero is particularly concerning as its infrastructure is falling apart. The refinery is like a ghost town and requires serious investment. Salina Cruz, meanwhile, is likely to be the first of the refineries to begin with maintenance work. GSL is providing services there and will participate in the tenders that will be held for maintenance of the refinery’s heaters. We are also beginning a trial period for cleaning the tanks on site. If we perform the cleaning well, we may be able to sign a direct contract with the refinery.

Q: What are the technologies that GSL can provide PEMEX and the industry at large?

A: GSL’s boiler combustion additive, our patented PEP-99 technology, eliminates contaminates like sulfuric acid from chimneys so that clean smoke is emitted into the atmosphere. This is an essential environmental aid that makes PEMEX’s refineries more environmentally friendly. We have just entered an alliance with Tundra Oil and Gas and are working alongside them on gas wells in the Burgos Basin. Tundra is applying advanced technologies to capillary tubing to maximize production while minimizing lifting costs.

Q: How is GSL improving its well stimulation chemicals and what part can they play in PEMEX’s production push?

A: Well stimulation on mature fields is GSL’s core business and the products that we provide for this offer excellent quality. In the past, our chemical products were imported but we are now producing them in Mexico with very good results. These are produced in Ebano, San Luis Potosi, the field where GSL first began operations. This is only one hour from Tampico, making it well-connected for transport throughout Mexico.

We are focused on tailoring our stimulation chemicals to a larger range of clients. We have a customizable base product but the company is aware that the demands and composition of each well are unique and a one-size-fits-all approach cannot be applied. Therefore, when designing a product for a specific well, we first go to the client’s field to take lab test samples and, depending on the properties of the oil, we design a product accordingly. The bulk of our clients are now private players rather than PEMEX. These include Diavaz, Jaguar, Grupo Cotemar, PetroSMP of Schlumberger and Petrofac. However, GSL’s short-term plans center on regaining the onshore PEMEX contracts in southeastern Mexico that we last worked on four years ago, and to help once more with national production.

Golfo Suplemento Latino is a Mexican company specializing in the operation and maintenance of wells in mature fields, with particular attention on well stimulation. It also provides maintenance and operation services to five PEMEX refineries.