By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 9 -- The Nigerian government has awarded an offshore production license to Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) and Statoil ASA for deepwater OPL 315 off Nigeria.
The block, in 1,000-2,000 m of water, covers 1,030 sq km in the northeastern region of the Niger River Delta basin near Lagos. Its geological environment is similar to that of giant oil fields such as Bonga and Erha and to conditions found in Abo field, which is on production.
Petrobras will serve as operator. The two partners each received 45% in the acreage, with Nigerian Ask Petroleum System receiving the balance in line with the government's policy to grant a 10% interest in each block to local companies.
Petrobras and Statoil offered a signature bonus of $180 million. They are committed to drilling four exploration wells.
In the bid round, which concluded Aug. 26, Nigeria offered 65 blocks in several sedimentary basins. Awards were based on a signature bonus, the share of production available to cover costs, the share of local deliveries, and a minimum drilling and seismic survey program.
