SOCO to drill Congo prospects

Aug. 17, 2009
SOCO Exploration and Production Congo has finalized terms for a rig to drill two wells in the Marine XI block.

Offshore staff

LONDON -- SOCO Exploration and Production Congo has finalized terms for a rig to drill two wells in the Marine XI block.

The rig is in transit to spud the Liyeke well on the S1 structure. The well targets a Sendji prospect above the salt layer, and will be followed by an appraisal well on the sub-salt Viodo oil field, around 1 km (0.6 mi) from the Viodo discovery.

In March, the Congo government granted SOCO approval for a farm-in into the Marine XIV block. SOCO, as operator, has since completed a 100-sq km (38.6-sq mi), multi-azimuthal 3D seismic program. The data is being processed currently, with a well planned during 2010.

08/17/2009