Africa Drilling & Completion News

Pacific Drilling’s Pacific Scirocco ultra-deepwater drillship has started work offshore Nigeria for Total under a one-year contract.

Ophir Energy has secured the Ocean Rig semisubmersible rig Eirik Raude for a 60-day exploration drilling program off Equatorial Guinea, starting in April.

A 4,000-sq km (1,544-sq mi) deepwater seismic acquisition program offshore Guinea is in processing with first results expected this March.

Chevron Nigeria Ltd. is learning more details behind the K.S. Endeavor jackup drilling rig fire.

Ghana’s government has approved the $1.1-billion Phase 1A development of the Jubilee field, according to Tullow Oil.

Afren has discovered a new oil-bearing structure close to the Okoro field off southeast Nigeria.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.’s Ntomme-2A appraisal well offshore Ghana found 128 ft (39 m) net of light oil (35ºAPI) pay.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.’s Lagosta 2 appraisal well offshore Mozambique is a success.

African Petroleum Corp. Ltd. has begun the Narina 1 well on block LB-09 offshore Liberia with the Maersk Deliverer semisubmersible drilling rig.

The drillship Odfjell Metro-1 has started drilling Mzia-1, the first of three wells this year for BG International offshore Tanzania.

Maersk Oil has discovered oil in the deepwater Azul-1 exploration well in block 23 in Angola’s Kwanza basin.

Drilling has resumed on the Sabu-1 exploration well offshore the Republic of Guinea, says Hyperdynamics Corp.

SOCO International has found sub-economic hydrocarbons with its latest exploration well off the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).

Hess Equatorial Guinea has issued a letter of award to Seadrill for use of the semi-tender rig West Esperanza.

Chevron has contracted Saipem for a three-year charter of the jackup Perro Negro 6 offshore Angola, starting in 2Q 2012.

Bowleven Plc has contracted the Atwood Aurora jackup to drill offshore Cameroon starting in May 2012, reports Atwood Oceanics Inc.

Vanco Côte d’Ivoire Ltd. has announced a discovery offshore Côte d’Ivoire block CI-401 with the Independence 1X well.

Chariot Oil & Gas is having difficulty finding a rig to drill its first exploration well offshore Namibia.

CGX Energy has contracted Diamond Offshore Drilling’s semisub Ocean Saratoga to drill the Eagle-1 exploration well offshore Guyana.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has upgraded its recoverable gas reserves offshore Mozambique on the basis of results from the Barquentine-3 appraisal well.

Rialto Energy and partner Petroci have submitted a development plan for the Gazelle field in block CI-202 off Côte d’Ivoire to the Hydrocarbon Directorate (DGI) in Abidjan.

Noble Energy has discovered oil at the Carla prospect in block O offshore Equatorial Guinea.

The semisub ENSCO 5003 has spudded the Makouala Marine-1 exploration well in block Marine XIV offshore Congo (Brazzaville).

Chariot Oil & Gas has received a drilling permit for its Tapir South prospect offshore Namibia, in Northern license 1811 A&B.