Chevron to drill for unconventionals in October

Super-major Chevron will begin an unconventional drilling campaign in its El Trapial field in the Vaca Muerta shale play in October, local media reported Tuesday.

The pilot programme entails the drilling of eight horizontal wells targeting unconventional formations in the field, whose conventional output is declining. Altogether, the work is expected to cost around USD 200 million.

The company’s president for Africa and Latin America, Clay Neff, confirmed the plans in a meeting with Neuquén province Governor Omar Gutiérrez and other provincial officials.

“As of October 1, Chevron will prioritise the hydrocarbons from the El Trapial concession, where it will begin to develop the first unconventional oil well in [the region of] Rincón de los Sauces,” Governor Gutiérrez said after the meeting.

“Chevron, which up until now has had unconventional gas development in Loma Campana, jointly with YPF, will now also begin to develop unconventional oil in an area in which there has been a decrease in investment, production and labour.”