Energy Africa to acquire 20% of Mauritanian block

Energy Africa Mauritania Ltd., an affiliate of South African company Energy Africa Ltd., has agreed to acquire 20% of Block 2 off Mauritania.

Feb. 11, 2002

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Feb. 11 -- Energy Africa Mauritania Ltd., an affiliate of South African company Energy Africa Ltd., has agreed to acquire 20% of Block 2 off Mauritania.

Other partnership interests are operator Woodside Petroleum Ltd. 20%, Hardman Petroleum (Mauritania) Pty. Ltd. 28.8%, and Roc Oil Co. Ltd. 3.2%.

The deal is subject to Mauritanian government approval. This is Energy Africa's first venture in Mauritania.

Block 2 covers 6,682 sq km and extends from near shore to more than 2,200 m of water. It is south of Block 4 where Woodside Petroleum's Chinguetti-1 found a 90-m gross oil column recently.

Adrian Nel, Energy Africa's CEO, said, "Acquisition of 3D seismic data will begin in April 2002, with drilling activity expected in 2003."