Total to spud Luiperd-1 in Block 11B/12B, offshore South Africa

July 7, 2020

Total SA and partners will begin a multi-well drilling program on Block 11B/12B in September with spud of Luiperd-1. The Odfjell Deepsea Stavanger semisubmersible rig has departed Bergin, Norway, for South Africa to perform the drilling, partner Africa Energy Corp. said July 2.

The block, in Outeniqua basin 175 km off the southern coast of South Africa, covers 19,000 sq km in 200-1,800 m of water. Luiperd is the largest prospect in the Paddavissie fairway, at the southwest corner of the block, and has been de-risked by the nearby Brulpadda discovery and subsequent 3D seismic work. The basin-opening Brulpadda oil and gas discovery on the block was drilled by Deepsea Stavanger in February 2019 (OGJ Online, Feb. 7, 2019; Apr. 2, 2018).

Total E&P South Africa BV is operator (45%) with partners Qatar Petroleum International Upstream LLC (25%), CNR International (South Africa) Ltd. (20%), and Main Street 1549 Proprietary Ltd. (10%, of which Africa Energy has a 49% stake).