Offshore staff
EDINBURGH, UK -- Bowleven’s Sapele-1 exploration well in the Douala basin permit offshore Cameroon has encountered further hydrocarbon-bearing pay.
The latest discoveries, in the Tertiary and Cretaceous objectives, are based on the results of drilling, wireline logs, samples of reservoir fluid, and pressure data.
Sapele-1, drilled in 20 m (65.6 ft) water depth on block MLHP-5 in the Etinde permit, was designed to intersect multiple stacked objectives. Wireline log evaluation indicates five to be hydrocarbon-bearing, with net pay confirmed in three, based on fluid samples.
Now that the well has reached a TD of 4,539 m (14,891 ft), Bowleven plans to set liner and drill onwards, pending approvals, upon completion of current logging activities.
Sapele-1 has been directed into multiple independent exploration targets from the proven Miocene fairway down to the deeper Cretaceous fairway from a single location.
One of Bowleven’s main aims was to prove the concept of the Cretaceous play in the offshore Douala basin. The well has confirmed the presence of reservoir and hydrocarbons in the Cretaceous, the company adds, extending the Cretaceous play fairway significantly offshore.
Kevin Hart, Chief Executive of Bowleven, said: “The discovery of oil at Sapele-1 in high quality Miocene reservoirs and in shallow water depths is significant in terms of both acreage-wide prospectivity and potential future development.
“The Cretaceous result also validates the play within this part of the Douala basin and has potentially significant implications for the overall prospectivity of the Etinde Permit.
“Furthermore, the Sapele-1 well will have a pivotal role in calibrating and de-risking the multiple exploration prospects identified across Etinde. The momentum is continuing to build in our operations in Cameroon and 2011 promises to be our busiest year yet with an extensive exploration and appraisal program planned.”
01/11/2011
