Melbana Energy has announced the commencement of a new phase of activity in Block 9, located on Cuba’s northern coast, with the goal of ramping up domestic oil production. The Australian firm, holding a 30% operating interest alongside Sonangol’s 70%, plans to begin a workover of its Alameda-2 well in early February 2025.

The intervention is intended to address formation damage observed during earlier testing of the Amistad Unit 1B reservoir. Using a dedicated service rig, the team will perform operations including the removal of the existing completion, addition of new perforation zones in the upper and lower sections of the reservoir, and acid stimulation treatments to improve flow capacity.

Following this, drilling will commence on the Amistad-2 well, the first well targeting the Unit 1B reservoir from a new trajectory. This well will be directionally drilled southward from Pad #9, aiming to intersect key fracture zones and the entire pay interval. Its location is strategically chosen, being approximately 800 metres from, and higher than, the Alameda-2 well, with the objective of recovering a high-confidence resource of up to 16 million barrels.

Future development plans include acquiring 3D seismic data to refine well placement and further exploit the 46 million barrels of contingent resources estimated within the block. Melbana’s logistics strategy includes transporting the crude oil via truck to local storage facilities, before shipping it through a nearby port.

Block 9, covering over 2,300 square kilometres and located 140 km east of Havana, lies within a well-established hydrocarbon region and in close proximity to Cuba’s major producing field in Varadero. The latest programme reflects growing interest in onshore Cuban oil potential and highlights the country’s ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment in its energy sector.