Nigeria
Statoil ASA reported an appraisal well on southeastern Block 218 off Brass confirmed the Nnwa natural gas reservoir that extends eastward into Block 219, operated by the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.
Nnwa-1 discovered oil and gas in several reservoirs between 2,303 m and 4,457 m MD in 1999 but wasn't tested. Nnwa-2, drilled to 4,984 m TD in 1,191 m of water 6.5 km northwest of Nnwa-1, encountered hydrocarbons in several reservoir levels and was successfully production tested.
Nnwa-2 lies 180 km southwest of Port Harcourt and 10.4 km northwest of Doro-1, the Shell gas discovery on Block 219. More appraisal work is needed to fully characterize Nnwa/Doro, Statoil said.
The partners in the two blocks previously signed a memorandum of understanding with state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. and the government authorizing a feasibility study, led by Statoil, for possible joint development of Nnwa and Doro. The study is slated for completion by Dec. 31, 2003.
Statoil has 53.85% interest in Block 218 with ChevronTexaco Corp. as its partner.
