Bowleven PLC said its IM-5 appraisal-development well offshore Cameroon appears to be a discovery of liquids-rich hydrocarbons in the Intra Isongo formation on the MLHP-7 block of the Etinde permit.
Estimated target depth is 3,475 m in 56 m of water. The well has reached 3,330 m measured depth, just beneath the top of the main Middle Isongo target, and the company plans to core the Middle Isongo reservoir and then drill to total depth before logging or flow-testing.
Based on logging while drilling, the well has intersected an 80-m gross reservoir interval that corresponds to the seismic event identified predrill. A preliminary analysis of provisional net pay is estimated to be between 52 and 56 m, indicating a net to gross of approximately 70%, Bowleven said.
“Based on preliminary analysis of this data, reservoir quality is believed to be good. Initial indications including data collected from the gas-chromatograph tracer suggests the presence of liquids-rich hydrocarbons, although further evaluation is required. Further logging, including the acquisition of MDT data, and testing is required to confirm reservoir quality and hydrocarbon content and type.”
The primary objective of IM-5, 1 km south of the company’s IM-3 well location, is to appraise the reservoir and fluid properties of the Middle Isongo sands. The secondary objective is to investigate the additional potential of the Intra Isongo exploration prospect, a potentially extensive amplitude-supported channel system potentially comprising both structural and stratigraphic trapping elements.
The well was also designed to intersect the Upper Isongo sands and confirm that these are present at this location and water-bearing as prognosed.
The well encountered the Middle Isongo reservoir 5 m above current well depth. Initial indications also suggest this reservoir is potentially hydrocarbon-bearing. The well also cut 32 m of high-quality reservoir sands in the Upper Isongo that, as predicted, water-bearing at this location. Sand thickness and quality were consistent with the predrill expectations.
Further detailed analysis is required to assess the implications of the potential discovery in the Intra Isongo.
