Ziga-Rodriguez, Genaro¹, Antonio Cuevas-Leree², Abel O. Pola-Simuta¹ 
(1) Activo Regional de Exploracion, Pemex E&P, Reynosa, Tamps, Mexico
(2) Activo Regional de Exploracion, Pemex E&P, Poza Rica, Ver, Mexico

ABSTRACT: Exploration for Mesozoic Gas Plays in the Sabinas and Maverick Basins of North-Central Mexico

Exploration for Mesozoic gas plays in the Sabinas and Maverick Basins in Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, north-central Mexico, began in the 1930’s, but it was not until 1975 when Pemex Exploration and Production discovered and produced commercial gas from Mesozoic naturally fractured carbonates in the Monclova-Buena Suerte Field. After that, five fields were discovered and developed in the Sabinas Basin, with cumulative production in excess of 375 bcf mostly from the La Virgen (Neocomian) and La Casita (Upper Jurassic) formations. Cumulative production per well ranges from 5 to 32 bcf. In the Maverick Basin cumulative production is of the order of 9.6 bcf, from the La Peña (Aptian) Formation in the Casa Roja Field. Exploration in both areas was suspended in the 1980’s after the discovery of the giant fields in southern Mexico. 
An evaluation of the remaining potential of these areas was performed in 2001 applying petroleum system and play analysis concepts. Three Jurassic and Cretaceous petroleum systems were evaluated and 16 plays recognized. In the Sabinas Basin undiscovered resource evaluations indicate 0.5 to 2.2 tcf of gas in La Virgen and La Casita formations, whereas in the Maverick Basin, the La Peña and Austin formations may have an undiscovered resource estimated at 2.0 and 8.0 tcf of gas, respectively. In order to evaluate these resources and incorporate reserves of the order of 500 bcf, Pemex has approved the drilling of 15 explorations wells during 2003-2004.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.