RE: Morocco News11 Apr 2025 13:40
Translated by Grok
Natural Gas: Predator Oil & Gas Embarks on a New Phase to Develop its Guercif License
In an interview with the Flagstaff platform, Paul Griffiths, Executive Director of Predator Oil & Gas, provided initial insights into the latest drilling campaign for the Mou-5 well in the Guercif license, which was completed on March 17, as well as the future development of the company’s assets in Morocco.
Covering an area of 7,269 km², the onshore Guercif license has revealed:
Shallow biogenic gas (certified) in quantities suitable for commercialization as compressed natural gas (CNG), with contingent resources estimated at approximately 594 million cubic meters (relatively modest);
Significant thermogenic gas potential (deeper), estimated between 4.8 and 18 billion cubic meters (probable and uncertified), which requires liquefaction and investment in a dedicated facility, making it more suitable for electricity production.
Mou-5 Well: Exploration Continues Despite Mixed Results
According to Paul Griffiths, the Mou-5 well confirmed the geological concepts of this petroleum system and successfully intersected all expected layers, including a salt presence (a structure capable of trapping hydrocarbons) that was not visible on 2D seismic data and slightly altered the structural positioning.
Based on these results, Predator has already selected a new drilling site 12 km to the north, among its three priority targets. Further studies (source rock analysis, reinterpretation of seismic and wireline data) will be necessary to finalize the definitive choice.
Griffiths believes that Predator has sufficiently de-risked the asset to attract the interest of a major oil company. In line with previous announcements, the company is preparing a farm-out process to conduct a 3D seismic campaign and a more strategic drilling of the Jurassic structure, whose geological potential (preliminary data did not confirm gas presence) was validated based on the Mou-5 data analyzed by the company.
“I wouldn’t have necessarily said this a year ago, but the market has changed, the entire industry has changed. We cannot indefinitely bear the burden alone, carrying out all the high-risk exploration and appraisal work typically expected of a larger company. We’ve done our part to reduce risks, and the next step requires a bigger partner,” Griffiths stated.
The search for a partner is expected to begin in July 2025, following the completion of preliminary work.
Biogenic Gas: A Potential Monetization Source for Predator
Although not explicitly stated, the scenario of a negative Mou-5 drilling outcome is now guiding the company’s strategy. Predator Oil & Gas has chosen to focus on shallow gas suitable for compressed natural gas (CNG) production, which is in high demand by industrial clients (e.g., the Kénitra industrial zone), as well as opportunities related to helium exploitation.
“Today, we can refocus on the simpler option, perhaps less ex
Sign In
Follow the stocks
