By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 29 -- Vaalco Energy Inc. has started oil production from its development well drilled in Ebouri field. Ebouri lies 7 miles northwest of Etame field on the 3,073 sq km Etame Marin Block off Gabon.
The well was drilled from one of the three well slots on the Ebouri platform, which stands in 250 ft of water.
The development well was completed horizontally to the northwest of the original discovery.
The independent oil company also started drilling a second horizontal development well following successful results from the North Ebouri appraisal well and a sidetrack.
The sidetrack well penetrated 65 ft of oil-filled Gamba sandstone, the thickest encountered to date in the Etame license area, proving significant additional reserves north of the originally mapped field development outline.
Completion and first oil production from this well are expected in March.
With the new Ebouri and North Ebouri development wells, Vaalco expects total production from the Etame Block to be 25,000 b/d.
The operator, Vaalco Gabon has 28.1% working interest in the Etame license area.
With the completion of the North Ebouri appraisal well and sidetrack, the Pride Cabinda jack up has been moved 4.4 miles to the southeast and has commenced drilling the North Etame exploration well, which will be followed by a second exploration well in Southeast Etame.
Vaalco plans additional wells in the coming months including two exploratory wells onshore on Gabon's Mutamba concession, where the company has a 100% working interest. The company is mobilizing and rigging the Nabors 864 rig at the first of the two planned drilling locations. It expects to commence drilling the first exploratory well in early February.