ExxonMobil unit strikes oil off Angola on Block 24

ExxonMobil Corp. Thursday announced its subsidiary, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 24) Ltd., has completed drilling the Semba-1 wildcat off Angola on Block 24. Semba-1 was spudded Feb. 21 and is the first well drilled in the block. The well is 230 miles southwest of Luanda.

June 14, 2001

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, June 14 -- ExxonMobil Corp. Thursday announced its subsidiary, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 24) Ltd. (Esso), has completed drilling the Semba-1 wildcat well off Angola on Block 24.

Semba-1 was spudded Feb. 21 and is the first well drilled in the block. The well is 230 miles southwest of Luanda.

The well encountered two oil-bearing reservoirs that flowed at a combined test rate of 3,039 b/d. The well was drilled in 3,800 ft to a total depth of 12,300 ft (3,746 m).

Esso is the operator with a 50% stake. Other participants in Block 24 are Sonangol Pesquisa e Producao, 20%; Petronas Carigali Overseas Sdn. Bhd., 15%; and Ocean Angola Corp., 15%.

ExxonMobil has interests in nine deepwater blocks off Angola and has announced 22 discoveries since 1996.