French contractor Schlumberger has been lined up to help Australian operator Oilex boost production at its Cambay field onshore India.

Oilex has awarded Schlumberger a contract to supply hydraulic fracturing services, coiled tubing and nitrogen services and perforation services for the planned re-fracturing of the Cambay C-77H well that is scheduled for July.

“Following a competitive tendering process, we have selected Schlumberger to provide the bulk of the services required for the upcoming C-77H re-frac operation,” confirmed Oilex chief executive Roland Wessel.

“We are pleased to have secured the equipment and services for the important C-77H re-frac operation given the worldwide shortage of fraccing services.”

However, the operator has been left needing to raise additional funds for this operation due to the higher-than-expected costs caused by a global shortage of fracking services and equipment, and the delayed start-up of gas production from the Cambay field.

On a brighter note, Oilex has negotiated a revised Gas Sales Agreement with Enertech Fuel Solutions for the sale of gas from the field based on the Indian government’s recently announced domestic gas price hike.

Oilex will now realise $7.32 per million British thermal units rather than the previous approximate $4.2 per million Btu.