Angola's state petroleum firm Sonangol awarded deepwater production-sharing agreements (PSAs) to two groups led by, respectively, BHP Petroleum Pty. Ltd. and Texaco Inc.
BHP is the operator of Block 21, which covers 5,000 sq km of the Kwanza basin and has water depths ranging from 500 m to 1,700 m. The block lies roughly 60 km off the Angolan coast.
BHP said its PSA provides for an initial 4-year exploration phase. The operator began the acquisition of 2,500 sq km of 3D seismic data on the block earlier this year.
Block 21 seismic survey results are currently being interpreted. BHP expects to spud the first wildcat on the block in fourth quarter 1999 or early in 2000, depending on rig availability.
Besides the seismic survey and drilling commitments, BHP also pledged to sponsor a project to install a geographical information system at the Angolan Ministry of Geology and Mines.
Block 21 interest holders are: BHP Petroleum (Angola 21) Inc. 30%, Sonangol 20%, Amoco Angola Kwanza BV 20%, Esso Exploration & Production Angola (Block 21) Ltd. 20%, and Shell Development Angola BV 10%.
Texaco is the operator of Block 22, which covers 4,860 sq km of the Kwanza basin and has water depths ranging from 600 m to 2,200 m. The firm said the block lies about 225 km south of Luanda.
Texaco is conducting a 3,600 sq km 3D seismic survey on the block, which it expects to complete in May 1999, in anticipation of exploration drilling.
Block 22 license holders are: Texaco 40%, Sonangol 20%, Esso 25%, and BHP 15%.
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