Sonangol and its partners have agreed to revise the sequence for drilling the Impala-2 development well and completing the Pacassa SW well in shallow-water Block 3/05, offshore Angola, according to a recent Afentra operational update.

The jackup Borr Grid will relocate immediately to spud the Impala-2 well in mid-October. Drilling and completion operations should last around 80 days, with completion of the well targeted for the end of December, followed by first oil in January 2027 at an initial 4,000 b/d.

On conclusion of this operation, the rig will return to drill and complete the Pacassa SW sidetrack. After connection to the existing Pacassa infrastructure, first oil is expected sometime in Q1 2027.

Impala-2 prioritized as partners prepare Pacassa SW sidetrack

The purpose of the revised sequence, Afentra explained, is to optimise the drilling schedule and use of the rig, allowing Impala-2 to progress while final preparations and equipment mobilisation are completed for the Pacassa SW sidetrack.

Reservoir pressure and productivity data taken during the earlier Impala-1 intervention, which restarted production from that well, have been incorporated into the final well planning for Impala-2.

The Pacassa SW discovery well penetrated 136 m of net oil pay. Sidetracking is needed because of operational problems that have restricted access to the wellbore.

Remapping of the discovery continues. The exercise should confirm an incremental oil resources of up to around 70 MMbbl, Afentra said.