Offshore staff
LONDON – Ophir Energy (LN:OPHR) has issued an update on its exploration programs offshore East and West Africa.
OffshoreTanzania, the company has a 70% operated interest in the East Pande concession. Interpretation of processed data from the recent Ndizi 3D survey has thrown up various leads and prospects.
The first drilling target well will likely be drilled early next year on the 379-MMboe Tende prospect in the southern part of the block, using the drillshipDeep Sea Metro I. Although East Pande is primarily prospective for gas, Ophir believes there is potential for oil in this area.
In offshore Tanzania block 7 (Ophir 80%, operator) data from last year’s Upanga 3D survey has confirmed Mlinzi as a complex of drillable prospects with potential combined recoverable resources of more than of 20 tcf.
The 2010 3D survey in the west of the block acquired by previous operator Dominion Petroleum has been reprocessed has revealed the Ngao prospect with potential reserves of more than 5 tcf. The partners have chosen a well location and expect to start drilling in late 4Q 2013.
Tanzania’s government has established a negotiating team to discuss gas terms for the block.
In Kenya’s offshore blocks L9 and L15, Ophir has a 90% operated interest. Block L9 contains many features in the outboard section which appear to be on trend with Apache’s 2012 offshoreMbawa discovery in block L8 to the north.
The Nala survey was acquired last year to evaluate the potential of the southern extent of the Mbawa Inversion zone; the Mbawa West, en-echelon anticline play; and the Simba Graben onlap play. Interpretation is under way. Also last year the Ndoto 3D survey was shot over L15, and interpretation is focused on the western edge of the Lamu toe thrust and fault blocks of the Davy Walu High.
Ophir plans its first Kenyan well on L9 during the second half of next year. Currently Anadarko is drilling Kiboko, the second of a two-well campaign, on block L11B southeast of L9.
OffshoreGabon, Ophir has operated interests in two blocks. In the Mbeli/Ntsina concession, processing was completed earlier this year of a 3D seismic survey acquired over the presalt play. The aim was to image the presalt play system. The data has confirmed the play’s prospectivity, in-line with previous evaluations.
Ophir is looking for a suitable rig with a view to drilling two presalt wells starting early in 2014. The partners are also considering another outboard 3D survey to investigate a post-salt play analogous to Brazil’s Barra discovery offshore Brazil to the west.
In the Manga/Gnondo concession, Ophir is targeting the Ogooué Delta play and the outboard post-salt play. Drilling on the Affanga Deep prospect (Gnondo) in the Ogooué Delta play is expected to start next year. Ophir plans three wells offshore Gabon.
8/19/2013
