Mozambique appraisal well adds to LNG stature

Aug. 22, 2011
Results of an appraisal well near the Barquentine discovery off Mozambique has added confidence to Anadarko Petroleum Corp.’s plans for a liquefied natural gas plant fed by gas from Offshore Area 1 discoveries. The company has let contracts for pre-FEED studies.

Results of an appraisal well near the Barquentine discovery off Mozambique has added confidence to Anadarko Petroleum Corp.’s plans for a liquefied natural gas plant fed by gas from Offshore Area 1 discoveries. The company has let contracts for pre-FEED studies.

The Barquentine-2 appraisal well cut more than 230 net ft of gas pay in high-quality reservoirs of Oligocene age. It was the first appraisal well in the Windjammer, Barquentine, and Lagosta complex, estimated to hold a minimum of 6 tcf of recoverable natural gas resources.

Bob Daniels, Anadarko senior vice-president, worldwide exploration said, “Our first appraisal of the Barquentine discovery matched our expectations, confirming our seismic modeling and providing confidence in our geologic interpretation of this world-class accumulation.

“We’ve also taken a major step toward the development of these substantial resources by awarding contracts for pre-FEED (front-end engineering and design) work for a prospective LNG plant. We have significant ongoing exploration and appraisal programs in the Rovuma basin and look forward to advancing this important project that can provide long-term benefits for the people of Mozambique.”

The Barquentine-2 appraisal well went to 13,500 ft in 5,400 ft of water 2 miles east-southeast of the Barquentine-1 discovery well. The appraisal well’s results also indicated that the Oligocene reservoirs are in static pressure communication between the wells.

The drillship is moved south to drill the Camarao exploratory well, which also will appraise the Windjammer discovery.

An Anadarko subsidiary and co-owners in Offshore Area 1 have awarded contracts to KBR and Technip to perform pre-FEED studies for an LNG plant in Mozambique. The studies are designed to help the partnership further assess the viability of developing an LNG facility to produce and process gas from the region.

Anadarko operates 2.6-million-acre Offshore Area 1 with a 36.5% working interest. Co-owners include Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area 1 Ltd. 20%, BPRL Ventures Mozambique BV 10%, Videocon Mozambique Rovuma 1 Ltd. 10%, and Cove Energy Mozambique Rovuma Offshore Ltd. 8.5%. State Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos EP’s 15% interest is carried through the exploration phase.