Ophir Energy's four African wells targeting 3 Tcf
By IAIN PACKHAM
LONDON--Africa-focused oil company Ophir Energy expects to receive the results of four wells, targeting 3 Tcf of gas, by early September.
"Ophir's 2012 drilling programme has so far delivered the Jodari-1 and Mzia-1 gas discoveries in Tanzania. With the kick-off of our Equatorial Guinea campaign, we are now running simultaneous drilling campaigns in West and East Africa through the summer," Chief Executive Nick Cooper said.
The company started drilling the first well in its 2012 Block R campaign in Equatorial Guinea on July 2 using the Eirik Raude drilling rig. Ophir operates Block R with an 80% stake. The rig will drill the top-hole sections at both Fortuna East and Fortuna West before moving to the Tonel-1 location where it will drill the entire well.
Once Tonel-1 has been completed the rig will return to, and complete, Fortuna West and then Fortuna East. The entire program is anticipated to take 60 to 90 days.
The Block 1, 3 and 4 drilling program in Tanzania, where Ophir holds a 40% interest, continues on schedule, with results expected to be released in late July.
Processing of 3D seismic data on Mbeli and Ntsina in Gabon is around half complete. Ophir and partner Petrobras expect to receive the final processed dataset in the fourth quarter. Drilling of the first target is anticipated in early 2013 subject to rig availability.
Dow Jones Newswires
07/03/2012