Eni SPA has encountered a major gas and condensate buildup in the presalt clastic geological sequence of lower Cretaceous age, crossing a 240-m hydrocarbon column, in its Nkala Marine exploration prospect on the Marine XII block offshore Congo (Brazzaville).
The discovery could hold 250-350 million boe in place, Eni says. The Nkala Marine 1 well was drilled in 48 m of water, 20 km from the coast and 3 km from Nene Marine field, where Eni started production in January (OGJ Online, Jan. 5, 2015). It tested at 300,000 standard cu m/d of gas and associated condensate.
Eni says it will start evaluation of Nkala Marine through new delineation wells. The company and its joint venture partners in the meantime will launch studies for its commercial development.
Estimated oil and gas resources in place relating to discoveries made in the presalt Marine XII block is 5.8 billion boe, the company says. Production from the block, currently at 15,000 boe/d, is ramping up.
Eni subsidiary Eni Congo SA operates Marine XII with 65% interest. Partners are New Age Ltd. 25% and Congolese state-owned Societe Nationale des Petroles du Congo (SNPC) 10%. Eni has maintained a presence in Congo (Brazzaville) since 1968, with current production of 110,000 boe/d.
