Esso Exploration Angola Ltd. has another discovery on prolific deepwater block 15 offshore Angola, its parent company ExxonMobil Corp. announced Thursday.
The discovery, Batuque, drilled in 2,400 ft of water to a TD of 12,400 ft, flowed at a test rate of 5,200 b/d. The find was the ninth on the block for ExxonMobil's Angolan division.
Block 15 is thought to contain recoverable reserves in excess of 3 billion boe. Esso Exploration Angola has made eight previous finds on the block with the Saxi and Mondo discoveries in 2000, the Chocalho and Xikomba discoveries in 1999, and the Hungo, Kissanje, Marimba, and Dikanza discoveries during 1998.
The first of ExxonMobil's giant Angolan developments scheduled to be brought onstream�the complex comprising Hungo, Chocalho, Kissanje, and Dikanza, and known as Kizoma�has stalled after state oil company Sonangol ordered the company to cancel a multi-billion dollar tender for work on the project due to disagreement over tax terms.
First oil from the Kizoma complex, estimated to hold 2 billion boe, had been set for 2003.
Esso Exploration Angola operates block 15 with a 40% working interest. Partners are BP Exploration Angola Ltd., with 26.67%, Agip Exploration BV, with 20%, and Statoil, with 13.33%.
