Deepwater appraisal well completed offshore Angola

June 8, 2010
Maersk Oil has completed drilling a first appraisal well on its deepwater Chissonga discovery offshore Angola.

Offshore staff

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Maersk Oil has completed drilling a first appraisal well on its deepwater Chissonga discovery offshore Angola.

Chissonga-2 was drilled down dip of the Chissonga-1 well in block 16 in 1,355 m (4,446 ft) water depth. TD was 6,052 m (19,855 ft). A production test in Oligocene-age turbidites flowed 6,650 b/d of 36º API oil on a 36/64-in. choke.

“We will now evaluate and analyze the results to determine if a development is commercially feasible. We expect to come to a conclusion early 2011,” said Lars Nydahl Jørgensen, head of Exploration, Maersk Oil.

All data compiled in the Chissonga area are being studied, with various development options under review. Further appraisal wells will likely be needed before commerciality can be determined, Jørgensen added.

Maersk acquired a 50% operated interest in block 16 from CNR in 2005. The permit is in the Lower Congo Basin around 100 km (62 mi) offshore Angola, in water depths ranging from 200-1,500 m (65-4,921 ft). Partners are Sonangol P&P (20%), Devon Energy (15%), and Odebrecht (15%).

06/08/2010