GABON SEEKING BIDDERS FOR 20 EXPLORATION BLOCKS

Twenty exploration blocks with a combined area of more than 60,000 sq km (23,160 sq miles) are on offer in the seventh licensing round opened by Gabon's Ministry of Mines, Energy and Hydraulic Resources. Data are available from Geco-Prakla Exploration Services, Crawley, U.K., in three packages: North Gabon, South Gabon, and Deep Offshore Gabon. The North Gabon package includes information on Blocks A-93, C-93, F-93, H-93, R-93, J-93, K-93, and M-93, which are onshore except for J-93, K-93,

Nov. 1, 1993

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Data are available from Geco-Prakla Exploration Services, Crawley, U.K., in three packages: North Gabon, South Gabon, and Deep Offshore Gabon.

The North Gabon package includes information on Blocks A-93, C-93, F-93, H-93, R-93, J-93, K-93, and M-93, which are onshore except for J-93, K-93, and part of M-93.

South Gabon data cover Blocks N-93, O-93, P-93, Q-93, R-93 and S-93, which are near-shore concessions with water depths to 500 m except on R-93, where depths range from 50 to 1,000 M.

Deepwater offshore concessions are Blocks B-93, D-93, E-93, G-93, L-93, and T-93, which have water depths of 200-2,000 M.

Closing date for receipt of seventh round applications at the ministry offices in Libreville is July 31, 1994.

Wood Mackenzie Consultants Ltd., Edinburgh, said all blocks in the round have been offered before. The ministry was said to be excited by the potential of the southernmost blocks after recent 3D seismic surveys by Amoco Corp.

In January, Amoco acquired the Phenix concession, which lies between Block S-93 and the Congolese border, out of round. Results on this block and the adjoining block over the border in Congo, also operated by Amoco, are said to be encouraging.

The ministry said while Gabon's shallow, postsalt, northern and central offshore areas are comparatively well explored, the same cannot be said for presalt and postsalt sections onshore and southern presalt offshore areas. Deepwater blocks are said to be undrilled.

Thirteen exploration blocks were offered in last year's sixth licensing round. Bids were required by June 30, 1993, after which first awards were scheduled for late 1993 or early 1994.