Sihil

Discovery and Location

The Sihil field was discovered in 1998, situated below the Akal field within the Cantarell complex. It is part of the larger Cantarell oil field, which was discovered in 1976 and began production in 1981.

Reserves and Production

The Sihil field holds substantial reserves, estimated to be more than one billion barrels of crude oil equivalent (bbcoe), which is approximately 5% of the original reserves of the Akal field. As of the end of 2013, the Sihil field was the second most important field in terms of oil reserves within the Cantarell complex, following the Akal field. It, along with the Ek and Balam fields, accounted for nearly one-fifth of the total 1P (proven) reserves of the complex.

Geology and Oil Characteristics

The oil produced from the Sihil field, like the rest of the Cantarell complex, is heavy crude with an API gravity ranging from 12° to 24°. The oil has a high content of sulfur and metals. The reservoir rock is composed of clastic limestone and dolomitized carbonates, which are naturally fractured with high permeability and porosity.

Production Trends

The production from the Sihil field has been significant in compensating for the decline in production from the Akal field. Since 2009, the number of producing wells in the Sihil and Ek fields has increased, leading to a relative compensation for the decline in the Akal field's production. By 2014, these fields contributed around 43% of the total crude production of the Cantarell complex.

Infrastructure and Development

The development of the Sihil field is integrated with the broader modernization and expansion of the Cantarell oil field. This includes the construction of new pipelines, platforms, and facilities to enhance oil and gas production and handling capacity. For instance, the Cantarell expansion project involved laying more than 400 km of subsea pipelines to augment the existing network, which includes connections to the Sihil field.

Economic Impact

The Sihil field, as part of the Cantarell complex, plays a crucial role in Mexico's oil production. Despite the decline in overall production from the Cantarell field, the contributions from the Sihil, Ek, and Ixtoc fields have helped maintain a significant level of oil production. The field's production is managed by Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), Mexico's state-owned oil company.

Current Status

As of recent years, the Sihil field continues to be an important producing field within the Cantarell complex. However, like the rest of the Cantarell field, it faces challenges related to the depletion of reserves. Efforts to maintain and increase production involve ongoing investments in exploration, drilling, and infrastructure upgrades.

In summary, the Sihil oil field is a vital component of Mexico's oil production, contributing significantly to the country's energy sector despite the overall decline in the Cantarell complex's production. Its development and operation are closely tied to the broader strategies of PEMEX to optimize oil and gas production in the region.