The BP Orca-1 exploration well has opened a new play in the inboard gas trend offshore Mauritania and Senegal, reports Kosmos Energy (OGJ Online, Sept. 23, 2019).
Targeting a previously untested Albian play, the well encountered 36 m of net gas pay in “excellent quality reservoirs,” Kosmos said.
Drilled to 5,266 m MD in 2,510 m of water about 125 km offshore Mauritania, the Orca-1 also extended the existing Cenomanian play fairway by confirming 11 m of net gas pay downdip of the Marsouin-1 discover well on the crest of the anticline. Kosmos estimated gas initially in place at Orca-1, 7.5 km from the anticline crest, at 13 tcf.
“We believe the Orca-1 and Marsouin-1 have derisked up to 50 tcf of gas initially in place from the Cenomanian and Albian plays in the BirAllah area, more than sufficient resource to support a world-scale LNG project,” Kosmos said in a press release.
A deeper, untested Aptian play has been identified in the area.
Interests are BP, operator, 62%; Kosmos, 28%; and SMHPM, 10%.
