An Eni-led group said the results of the Mamba Northeast-1 exploratory well offshore Mozambique increase the resource base of Offshore Area 4 by at least 10 tcf of which 8 tcf are contained in reservoirs exclusively located in Area 4.
This new discovery boosts the potential of the Mamba complex in Area 4 to at least 40 tcf of gas in place. Area 4 lies east of and adjacent to the Anadarko Petroleum Corp. group’s Area 1, and talks have been held regarding eventual unitization of gas discoveries on the two blocks.
Mamba Northeast-1 is in 1,848 m of water in the eastern part of Area 4 and 50 km off Capo Delgado. It went to a total depth of 4,560 m. The wellsite is 15 km northeast of the group’s Mamba South-1 discovery and 12 km southwest of Mamba North-1, both giant discoveries.
Manba Northeast-1 encountered a combined 240 m of gas pay in multiple high-quality Oligocene and Eocene sands and proved reservoir continuity and pressure communication with Mamba South 1 and Mamba North 1 wells.
Eni plans to drill at least four more wells on nearby structures in 2012 to fully assess the upside potential of the Mamba complex.
Eni is operator of Area 4 with a 70% participating interest. Galp Energia and KOGAS have 10% each, and Mozambique’s state ENH has a 10% carried interest carried through the exploration phase.
About the Author
Alan Petzet
Chief Editor Exploration
Alan Petzet is Chief Editor-Exploration of Oil & Gas Journal in Houston. He is editor of the Weekly E&D Newsletter, emailed to OGJ subscribers, and a regular contributor to the OGJ Online subscriber website.
Petzet joined OGJ in 1981 after 13 years in the Tulsa World business-oil department. He was named OGJ Exploration Editor in 1990. A native of Tulsa, he has a BA in journalism from the University of Tulsa.