Eni SPA encountered natural gas and condensate in the Metlaoui Group of Eocene age with well B1 16/3 in the Gamma prospect of contract area D, 140 km offshore Tripoli.
Eni says the well, drilled in 150 m of water to a total depth of 2,981 m, has the capacity to deliver more than 7,000 boe/d in production configuration. The firm spudded the well on Jan. 4 (OGJ Online, Jan. 9, 2017).
The discovery, the latest by Eni in Area D following those made in 2015, is 15 km southwest of Bouri field and 5 km north of Bahr Essalam field (OGJ Online, May 26, 2015). Drilling of the Gamma prospect is part of Eni’s nearfield exploration strategy, targeting synergies with existing infrastructure.
Eni, through its subsidiary Eni North Africa BV, is operator of contract area D with 100% working interest in the exploration phase. Eni has been in Libya since 1959 and currently produces 350,000 boe/d in equity in the country.
