Exploration/Development Briefs

Nov. 25, 2013

Brazil

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. and Dolphin Geophysical will shoot a multiclient 3D survey designed to image presalt plays in the Campos basin offshore Brazil.

The 5,000 sq km Olho de Boi survey is to be shot northeast of the Pao de Acucar discovery in an area of similar structural and stratigraphic characteristics.

TGS-NOPEC said it conducted considerable geologic review and reprocessing of existing 2D data to ensure strategic placement of the survey in a highly prospective area in the Campos basin.

TGS-NOPEC will process the data acquired by the M/V Sanco Swift using proprietary broadband technology and make data available to clients in the last quarter of 2014.

Ireland

The ABT Oil & Gas joint venture will take a farmout from Providence Resources PLC under which ABT would assist the partners in determining whether the North Celtic Sea basin Helvick and Dunmore oil discoveries can be developed commercially.

Providence, on behalf of its partners, has applied to the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources to convert that part of the SEL 2/07 license that contains the discoveries into two separate lease undertakings. If granted, ABT has agreed to farm into the discoveries, subject to ministry approval.

If the joint venture partners determine that the discoveries can be developed commercially using ABT's low-cost development technologies, the second phase of the work program will be carried out. This phase involves carrying out work necessary to prepare and submit to the ministry an outline plan of development and an application for a petroleum lease in respect of each discovery.

Subject to a lease award by the ministry, a third phase would entail the preparation and submission of a formal development plan under which, if approved, ABT would earn a 50% interest in the discoveries.

ABT is a joint venture of Enegi Oil PLC and ABTechnology Ltd., a company that holds proprietary interests in low-cost development solutions. ABT has already made considerable progress taking Fyne oil field in the North Sea towards field development plan by utilizing its technologies and the expertise of ABT's strategic partner, Wood Group.

Kenya

A unit of ERHC Energy Inc., Houston, said Bell Geospace has begun an airborne full tensor gravity gradiometry survey of about 15,500 line-km over Block 11A in northwestern Kenya.

The 11,950 sq km block is in the northern Lokichar basin, locale of the Ekales, Ngamia, and Twiga South oil discoveries.

ERHC Energy noted that the proximity and trend relationship of the Lotikipi plain, the main surface feature of Block 11A, with those discoveries and the established petroleum provices of the Abu Gabra rift basins of southern Sudan suggest high prospectivity for Block 11A.

Madagascar

ExxonMobil Corp. affiliates will resume work in preparation for deepwater exploratory drilling after Madagascar formalized extensions to three production-sharing contract licenses.

The affiliates intend to resume exploratory and environmental work for shore-based and offshore operations on the Ampasindava, Majunga, and Cap St. Andre licenses.

ExxonMobil E&P (Northern Madagascar) Ltd. operates Ampasindava with 70% interest. Sterling Energy holds 30% interest.

ExxonMobil E&P Madagascar Majunga Ltd. operates Majunga with 50% interest. BG International holds 30%, Petrovietnam E&P 10%, and SK Innovation 10%.

ExxonMobil E&P Madagascar Ltd. has 100% interest in Cap St. Andre.

Morocco

Longreach Oil & Gas Ltd. has spudded its operated Koba-1 exploratory well on the Sidi Moktar license in Morocco's Essaouira basin.

The planned 50-day well is projected to 2,700 m. The Koba prospect has targets in Lower Liassic and Upper Triassic clastics.

Interests are Longreach 50% and ONHYM and MPE 25% each carried.

Thailand

A group led by Mubadala Petroleum's MP G1 (Thailand) Ltd. unit has spudded the Malida-1 exploratory well on the G1/48 concession in the northern Gulf of Thailand 160 km south of Bangkok and 5 km northeast of Manora oil field.

The commitment well will test for the development of the main Miocene age interval of the Manora oil-bearing sands in an independent fault dependent structure farther into the basin. Success could open a new oil fairway.

Contingent well operations, including deepening Malida-1 to test the underlying Oligocene section and possible sidetracking, may be undertaken in the event of success.

Malida-1 is to go to 2,670 m measured depth, 2,640 m true vertical depth, in 47 m of water in about 18 days.