Abstract
The Vaca Muerta Formation (Weaver, 1931) represents the principal hydrocarbon-generating rock unit of the Neuquén Basin and is currently being exploited as an unconventional resource via multi-fractured horizontal wells, accounting for 58% of Argentina's oil production and 67% of its gas production. Agua del Cajon Field (ADC), situated in the southeastern region of the Neuquén Basin is a mature asset featuring over 250 vertical wells producing gas and oil from diverse geological formations. Vertical well tests to Vaca Muerta Formation have been conducted in the field over the past 10 years, where the fluid could be verified and characterized, however with non-economic production rates.
In the year 2022, using the increased availability of high technology in the basin, a horizontal well of 1500 meters of lateral length was drilled to evaluate productivity. This well was one of the first horizontal wells drilled in the Vaca Muerta Formation in the southern east basin's edge. The Pilot well showed satisfactory results, allowing to continue the development with a four well pad of 2600 m lateral length in average. The preliminary results of both Pilot well and the pad will be discussed in this paper. While the geology and drilling will be briefly described, the focus of the analysis will be the completion of the wells, wells interaction, and production results
