The Sacramento Valley in California was touted Wednesday as an E&P hot spot by a Tucson, AZ-based Fidelis Energy Inc., which announced that its first exploration well tested at 12 MMcf/d from a 1,000-acre tract on the North Franklin Project. It taps the so-called Winters Formation, a new discovery on a ranch about 25 miles south of the state capital in Sacramento County.

A Bakersfield, CA-based operator, Archer Exploration, has been exploring the area for about two years and began the first well in this formation a month ago with $500,000 backing from publicly held Fidelis Energy, according to a spokesperson for firm. Fidelis said it will drill up to five additional wells in the area. Archer is a partner in the exploration/development project.

John Howe, Archer Exploration’s president, said the first well’s success — at a depth of 8,000 feet — “culminates over two years of geological and engineering preparation work.” Howe said Archer plans to continue working with Fidelis on the “upcoming development of the newly discovered gas reservoir and other projects in California.”

According to Fidelis’ announcement, gas samples acquired during the recent flow test “produced a 94% pure result (with a 940 Btu content to the gas). In addition, reservoir engineers report that Fidelis can expect excellent deliverability under producing conditions. “Given the casing pressure was increasing at the end of the testing period, the resulting absolute open flow rate of 12 MMcf/d is a conservative calculation.”

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