Ghana: Accra block 3D seismic survey starts

Jan. 10, 2011
A joint venture group has begun shooting a 1,200 sq km 3D seismic survey on the 2,000 sq km Accra block in the Gulf of Guinea off Ghana.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 10
– A joint venture group has begun shooting a 1,200 sq km 3D seismic survey on the 2,000 sq km Accra block in the Gulf of Guinea off Ghana.

On completion of the survey, 80% of the permit will be covered by new or reprocessed 3D seismic, said operator Tap Oil Ltd. The block is in less than 50 m to more than 2,500 m of water.

The group brought the survey forward in the exploration program because recent studies have highlighted additional potential in the deepwater part of the block that requires 3D data for maturation.

It is hoped that the new 3D will define additional drillable prospects, thus providing the JV with a broad range of alternative targets prior to drilling in early 2012, Tap Oil said.

Fast-track processed data will be available for interpretation about 4 weeks after the end of acquisition, with final processed data scheduled for delivery in late 2011.

Joint venture interests are Tap Oil (Ghana) Ltd. 36%, AFEX Oil (Ghana) Ltd. 27%, and Challenger Minerals (Ghana) Ltd. 27%, Ghana National Petroleum Co., carried for 10% interest by the other parties in proportion to their participating interest, has the option of increasing its interest in case of a commercial discovery.