Etablissements Maurel & Prom (M&P) and NG Energy International (NGE) have reported the discovery of a new natural gas reservoir at the Hechicero-1X well in the Sinu-9 block in Colombia.
The well, drilled to a depth of 8,500ft, revealed gas-bearing intervals in the Pre-Ciénaga de Oro (CDO)–San Cayetano formation, recording net pay of 103ft.
Preliminary well tests on this interval produced 26.4 million cubic feet per day (mcf/d) of gas on a 43/128 choke, with wellhead pressure at 1,800lb per square inch.
NG Energy stated that electric log analysis also identified gas at multiple levels in the CDO and Porquero formations, with net pays of 288ft and 149ft, respectively.
According to NG Energy, these results match prior findings at the Magico-1X and Brujo-1X wells, suggesting consistency across the block.
Maurel & Prom is the operator of the Sinu-9 block with a stake of 61%, while NG Energy holds a 39% non-operating working interest.
NG Energy said that it expects the existing 30mcf/d transportation capacity at the concession to be filled by Hechicero-1X and existing wells.
Construction of an 18km pipeline loop by infrastructure partner INFRAES is under way, aiming to expand delivery capacity to 40mcf/d by the end of May 2026.
INFRAES has begun further infrastructure work, which could bring the total capacity to 90mcf/d in the latter half of 2026, subject to final agreements.
Meanwhile, drilling operations continue at the María Conchita project in Colombia, where NG Energy is the operator with an 80% working interest.
The Aruchara-5 well, which is being drilled in three phases, had reached a depth of around 7,370ft at the time of reporting.
The well aims to develop the Jimol formation and assess untapped accumulations, with a target depth of 9,100ft.
NG Energy CEO and director Jorge Fonseca said: “The Hechicero-1X results are an important step forward for the Sinu-9 campaign. The CDO intervals delivered strong net pay in line with our expectations, and the Pre-CDO–San Cayetano discovery has opened a new and wider dimension to the gas potential of the block – expanding the prospective footprint well beyond our primary target.
“Critically, infrastructure is keeping pace with drilling – current capacity is expected to be filled by Hechicero-1X and the wells already on production, the initial pipeline loop is on track for completion by the end of May, increasing capacity to 40mcf/d, and with construction of additional infrastructure now under way, we have a pathway up to 90mcf/d as the six well campaign progresses.
“At María Conchita, Aruchara-5 is progressing well, and with two active programmes running concurrently across our two Colombian blocks, NGE is executing on all fronts.”
