Anadarko reports presalt discovery off Brazil

Oct. 10, 2008
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has reported a presalt discovery at the Wahoo prospect in the Campos basin off Brazil.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Oct. 10 -- Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has reported a presalt discovery at the Wahoo prospect in the Campos basin off Brazil.

The 1-APL-1-ESS discovery well on Block BM-C-30 lies in 4,650 ft of water 25 miles southeast of and syncline separated from Petroleo Brasileiro SA's (Petrobras) previously announced presalt discoveries at giant Jubarte field off Espirito Santo state.

Preliminary Wahoo results, based on wireline logs, indicate at least 195 ft of net pay with play characteristics similar to those of the nearby Jubarte 1-ESS-103A well. It is Brazil's first producing presalt field having recently achieved reported initial rates of 18,000 b/d of light oil (OGJ Online, Sept. 2, 2008).

"Our first operated presalt test in Brazil is a resounding success as we're seeing data that mirrors other very significant presalt discoveries in this prolific area," said Bob Daniels, Anadarko senior vice-president of worldwide exploration. "It's still early in the process, and we plan to continue drilling toward additional targeted objectives to a total depth of approximately 20,000 ft. The positive results so far provide encouragement and validate our decision to relocate the Transocean Deepwater Millennium drillship to Brazil to execute our ongoing presalt exploration program, which includes at least four additional wells in the deepwater Campos and Espirito Santo basins through the middle of next year."

The Wahoo well is drilling at about 18,400 ft. To fulfill the work program, the partners have run a full suite of wireline logs, including porosity tools. The partners plan to conduct additional logging, including pressure and fluid sampling, once the well reaches total depth, with the potential to conduct a drillstem test at a later date.

After completing operations at Wahoo, Anadarko plans to move the Deepwater Millennium to the Serpa prospect, where it holds a 30% working interest, to re-enter the BM-ES-24 well. The well initially encountered presalt hydrocarbon-bearing zones in secondary objectives but did not reach the primary objective because of rig limitations.

Anadarko, through a wholly owned subsidiary, holds a 30% working interest in and is operator of BM-C-30. Devon Energy Corp. holds 25%; EnCana Brasil Petroleo Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat PetroResources Ltd. and Videocon Industries, holds 25%; and SK do Brazil Ltda. holds the remaining 20%.