ExxonMobil Corp., reporting its 14th deepwater oil discovery on Block 15 off Angola, said the company's resource base in Angola is now estimated to be more than 10.5 billion boe.
ExxonMobil said its subsidiary Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Ltd. and Angola's national oil company Sociedade Nacionale de Combustiveis de Angola (Sonangol EP) made the latest discovery at the Clochas-1 well 240 miles northwest of Luanda.
Clochas-1 encountered an oil-bearing reservoir that flowed 1,764 b/d on test. It was drilled in 4,250 ft of water to 10,300 ft TD. Partner Statoil ASA said Esso estimates Clochas-1 to be capable of flowing slightly more than 5,000 b/d.
ExxonMobil's resource base in Angola has been bolstered by discoveries such as this and previously announced finds on Angola Blocks 15, 17, 31, and 32.
Esso and Sonangol previously announced discoveries Hungo, Kissanje, Marimba, and Dikanza in 1998; Chocalho and Xikomba in 1999; Mondo, Saxi, and Batuque in 2000; Mbulumbumba, Vicango, and Mavacola in 2001; and Reco Reco in 2002.
Block 15, a world-class development, has the potential to recover more than 4 billion boe, ExxonMobil said.
Four other major projects currently are being developed on the block.
First oil is expected late this year from Xikomba field, which will use an early production system to recover about 100 million bbl of oil.
The larger Kizomba A and B developments are designed to recover 1 billion bbl of oil each. First production is anticipated from Kizomba A (Hungo and Chocalho field) in 2004 and Kizomba B (Kissanje and Dikanza fields), which has been approved, in early 2006.
Expected production peak rate at Kizomba A is 250,000 b/d.
Development planning for Kizomba C also is under way.
Esso is operator of Block 15 and holds 40% interest. Other participants are BP Exploration (Angola) Ltd. 26.67%, Agip Angola Exploration BV 20%, and Statoil Angola 13.33%. Sonangol is the concessionaire.
