Reprocessed seismic reveals exploration potential in deepwater Angola block

TGS has finished reprocessing the Block 16 GeoStreamer MC3D seismic dataset in the deepwater Lower Congo Basin offshore Angola, in partnership with Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis (ANPG). 

Exploration in the region in recent years has delivered numerous large discoveries that have been swiftly brought onstream, TGS said. In Block 16, however, the most recent exploration well was drilled in 2013.

The 3,684-sq-km rejuvenation project has applied modern depth processing workflows to enhance the imaging for the original data, enabling detailed evaluation of deeper post-salt and presalt target plays, the company claimed.

Coverage includes the 1994 Bengo and 1995 Longa Upper Miocene finds in the northern part of Block 16. Although a recent re-evaluation of wells in the Lower Congo basin has also identified oil recovery from Upper Miocene reservoirs in the southern part of the survey area. 

In addition, the survey provides partial coverage of Tchihumba, a marginal field development opportunity that ANPG is currently marketing. The field, discovered in 2003, has hydrocarbon-bearing zones in Upper Miocene, Lower Miocene and Oligocene sands, with total estimated recoverable volumes of about 136 MMbbl.

The Lumpembe-1 oil find from 2023, drilled on Block 15/06, is undergoing development studies and also extends into the survey area.