Foxtrot finds oil, gas offshore Ivory Coast

March 9, 2015
The Marlin North-1 well drilled by Foxtrot International LDC, Abidjan, offshore Ivory Coast flowed gas and oil from the Turonian and Lower Senonian intervals, neither of which had previously tested hydrocarbons on Block CI-27.

The Marlin North-1 well drilled by Foxtrot International LDC, Abidjan, offshore Ivory Coast flowed gas and oil from the Turonian and Lower Senonian intervals, neither of which had previously tested hydrocarbons on Block CI-27.

A 22-m perforated section of the gas-bearing column in the Turonian flowed at a stabilized rate of 25 MMcfd of gas and 150 b/d of condensates through a 46/64-in. choke.

In the Lower Senonian, an 11-m perforated section of the oil-bearing column flowed at a stabilized rate of 1,525 b/d of 27° gravity oil and 0.6 MMcfd of associated gas through a 28/64-in. choke.

Marlin North-1 reached a vertical depth of 2,790 m in 65 m of water. A declaration of hydrocarbons discovery has been submitted to Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and an evaluation and appraisal program will follow.

Elsewhere on the block, development of previously discovered Marlin oil and gas field and nearby Manta gas field is on track as part of a 4-year, $1-billion expansion program involving installation of a second production platform on the block and drilling of development wells starting in July (OGJ Online, Dec. 2, 2014).

The first platform on the block has been operating since 1999 and processes gas and liquids from Foxtrot and Mahi fields.

During 2014, gas production from Block CI-27 averaged 142.6 MMcfd or 70% of the country’s total. Average daily production and prices have increased marginally in 2015.

RAK Petroleum, through Mondoil Enterprises LLC, holds one-third ownership of Foxtrot International, which in turn operates Block CI-27 with 27.5% interest. Other partners on the block are Ivory Coast state oil company Petroci and Energie de Cote d’Ivoire SA (ENERCI).