Africa
Marshall DeLuca
Elf has made another discovery on Block 17 offshore Angola. The Tulipa -1 well was drilled in 3,300 ft water depths and flowed 7,000 b/d of oil. The discovery is the fifth one on the same block that includes Girassol, Dalia, Rosa, and Lirio. Geological and engineering studies are underway to assess the discovery. Elf hods a 35% interest with partners Esso (20%), BP Amoco (16.67%), Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap (13.33%), Norsk Hydro (10%), and Fina (5%). Sonangol is the concessionaire of the block.
Vanco Energy contracted Western Geo physical to conduct a 2D seismic survey of Block CI-112 offshore Côte d'Ivoire. The block is one of two deepwater blocks that were awarded to Vanco in April. Block CI-112 covers about 5,000 sq km and lies in water depths ranging from 100 meters down to 3,000 meters. The survey, which should be completed this month, will create a grid of the block. Western Geophysical is using the M/V Jeff Chouest for the survey.
Global Industries completed a turnkey contract for Chevron's Cabinda Gulf Oil Company for the procurement, transportation, installation, and precommissioning of the Banzala A platform and associated pipelines. The four-pile wellhead platform was installed on the Banzala Field in 128 ft of water offshore Cabinda using Global's Comanche pipelay/derrick vessel. The Banzala development is expected to produce 30,000 b/d of oil when it comes onstream in 2000.
Americas
Arco and Phillips agreed on an exchange of interests for acreage in Venezuela. Under a recently signed agreement, Arco has assumed Phillips 18% interest in Block LL-652 in Lake Maracaibo in exchange for Arco's interest in the onshore Hamaca heavy oil project in eastern Venezuela. This will increase Arco's interests in the blocks to 36% upon approval. Other interest-holders in the block include Chevron (27%), Statoil (27%), and PDVSA (10%).
Vastar's Sting prospect in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico Viosca Knoll Block 1001 has proven non-commercial. The company said the well did encounter hydrocarbons, but not in commercial quantities. Vastar will now move the rig to the Horn Mountain prospect in Mississippi Canyon Block 127 where the company holds a 67% interest. Vastar is also currently drilling on the Cayenne prospect in Garden Banks 920 where it holds a 40% interest. The company began its deepwater program in 1997 and said it plans to drill or participate in four to six deepwater wells annually.
Exxon and Petrobras signed agreements for an oil exploration and production joint venture on two blocks offshore Brazil. The contracts were for the BP-1 Block in the Pelotas Basin in the Rio Grande do Sul state and the BFZ-1 Block in the Foz do Amazonas Basin. Exxon's Esso Brasileria de Petroleo will serve as operator on both blocks and hold a 60% stake in the BP-1 Block and a 50% interest in the BFZ-1 Block.
Next Page
Page 1 of 4
Volume 59 Issue 8
August 1999
Add RSS Feed