Eni gets 3-year extension for exploration on Block 15/06 offshore Angola

Jan. 19, 2015
Angolan authorities have given Italy’s Eni SPA a 3-year extension to the exploration period for offshore Block 15/06, 350 km northwest of the capital city of Luanda and 130 km east of Soyo town.

Angolan authorities have given Italy’s Eni SPA a 3-year extension to the exploration period for offshore Block 15/06, 350 km northwest of the capital city of Luanda and 130 km east of Soyo town.

The original exploration period expired November 2014, and Eni requested an extension to complete planned activities, including the drilling of three wells and 1,000 sq km of 3D seismic. Eni says that possible new discoveries could be developed quickly using existing production facilities.

The extension also includes an area adjacent to the Block 15/06 covering the Reco-Reco discovery, estimated to hold 100 million bbl of oil in place. Synergies with existing infrastructure will enable production in this area to begin quickly, Eni says.

Block 15/06 was acquired in 2006 following an international bid round. Eni has drilled 24 exploration and appraisal wells, discovering 3 billion bbl of oil in place and 850 million bbl of reserves.

At yearend 2014, Eni started production from the West Hub development project, near Block 15/06, 4 years after the declaration of commercial discovery (OGJ Online, Dec. 8, 2014). Block 15/06 also includes the East Hub development project, which is under development and is expected to start production in 2017.

Eni last year also discovered the Ochigufu exploration prospect offshore Angola, estimated to hold 300 million bbl of oil in place (OGJ Online, Sept. 17, 2014). It will be connected to West Hub by 2017.

Eni operates Block 15/06 with 35% interest, with Sonangol EP as concessionaire. Partners are Sonangol Pesquisa e Producao 35%, SSI Fifteen Ltd. 25%, and Falcon Oil Holding Angola SA 5%.