Eni SPA encountered what it is calling a “significant accumulation” of light oil through a hydrocarbon column of 420 m in the Lower Cretaceous age presalt sequence on the Marine XII block offshore Congo (Brazzaville).
The Minsala Marine exploration prospect’s Minsala Marine 1 well—35 km from the shoreline and 12 km from the recent Nene Marine discovery (OGJ Online, Feb. 13, 2014)—reached a total depth of 3,700 m in 75 m of water.
Eni’s preliminary estimates on the potential of the discovery total 1 billion boe in place, 80% of which is oil. The company has formulated an appraisal plan and launched studies for commercial development.
“We have already discovered about 4 billion boe in place between Congo and Gabon,” said Eni Chief Executive Officer Claudio Descalzi. “In Congo, this is the third discovery to be successfully drilled in the Marine XII permit presalt play following the Litchjendily and Nene Marine discoveries, which are both already under development.”
Descalzi noted that the discoveries reside near existing systems, which will expedite the time in which they are brought into production. Eni, operating in Congo since 1968, currently sees 110,000 b/d of oil in equity production.
Eni Congo SA operates Marine XII with 65% interest. Partners are New Age with 25% and Societe Nationale des Petroles du Congo with 10%.
