Ivory Coast: Ultradeepwater licenses awarded

Feb. 17, 2012
Ivory Coast has awarded several ultradeepwater exploratory licenses offshore in the Gulf of Guinea.

Ivory Coast has awarded several ultradeepwater exploratory licenses offshore in the Gulf of Guinea.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. will operate the CI-515 and CI-516 licenses, 175 km southwest of Abidjan, with 45% interest, with partners Total SA 45% and state Petroci 10%.

Total will operate CI-514, 200 km southwest of Abidjan, with 54% interest, with partners Canadian Natural Resources International 36% and Petroci 10%.

The blocks are in 2,000-3,000 m of water 100 km from land. The work program includes a 3D seismic survey of the entire acreage and one well on each during the initial 3-year exploration period. Total will assume operatorship on each of the three blocks upon the first commercial discovery.

Total plans to spud an exploratory well at the end of 2012 on its CI-100 deepwater block, where it is operator with 60% interest, along the marine boundary with western Ghana.