West Africa
Abacan acquires 3D seismic data on Nigeria's NGO Field
Abacan Resources, the technical partner to the Nigerian indigenous company Amni Production, has completed a 60 sq km 3D seismic survey on the Ngo/Ima Field and Okoro discovery area in OPLs 237 and 469, south of Chevron's OML 52. Abacan has drilled seven wells (two of which were drilled by Japan Petroleum between 1973 and 1975). Abacan's campaign, started in 1994 had been carried out with 70s vintage 2D data. The structure is a simple roll over structure located downthrown to CNL's Tubu oil and condensate accumulation. Amni had long maintained that the field would be in production by 4th Quarter 1996 and would produce 20,000 b/d oil at its peak.
Agip's Abo-2 strengthens prospects in Nigerian deepwater
Agip's recent oil find in Abo-2, located at the southwestern slope to the poor Abo-1 (24 ft of oil) its second deepwater well offshore Nigeria, will strengthen the argument of those who claim that the deepwater province off the Niger Delta is an enormous oil basin.
The well, drilled with the aid of old fashioned 2D seismic data, encountered 100 ft net oil sand at 6,552 ft, a level that Agip had expected on seismic profile. What's more, the lease, OPL 316, is in an area that was considered gas prone, being the shallowest lease in the deep offshore region, and a mere stepdown from OPL 241(the former OML 97, until recently operated by Chevron). Its location makes it a transition zone between the gas-prone outer shelf of the delta, typified by Chevron's experience in OPL 241, and the inner slope of the Atlantic.
Agip stepped out into this area, a zone of ponded turbidites, when they found from Abo-1 that the conventional combination of listric faults and rollovers, which proved a ready hydrocarbon habitat in the Niger Delta do not necessarily hold firm in this part of the deep offshore.
Offshore rig utilization in the region surges
West Africa continued its strong showing in offshore rig utilization in June. The region retained 100% in semisubmersible utilization and 92% in jackup utilization compared with 90% and 88% utilization
respectively for similar rigs in the US Gulf of Mexico. The global figure peaked at 90% for jackups and semis, the highest in 14 years. In West Africa, only two small jackups were without contract in June 1996,
and these are rigs that have been stacked cold since 1993. West Africa's deep offshore is a focus of intense activity by operators from everywhere in the world, and it looks like the current trend in rig utilization will continue.
Angola's deepwater march is leading West Africa
Angola is steaming ahead of any other West African country in deepwater exploration. Amoco and Mobil, which just got leases 18 and 20 have already laid out plans. Eight wells seem sure to be drilled in deepwater for the rest of the year, and five of them are exploratory wells. Mobil should be drilling Baleia- 1 by now.
Angola is relatively hyperactive in deepwater exploration. Elf Angola, the French company, has contracted the semisubmersible rig Jim Cunningham for six to seven firm wells (representing at least two years of work). Elf Congo (with whom Chevron is a partner) has two of the slots on this rig-one in 1997, one in 1998. In Congo, the rig will drill in the Haute Mer permit where the Elf/Chevron joint venture recently had the big MOHO discovery. In Angola, Elf will be following up on its recent deepwater Tertiary discoveries. The drillship Peregrine III, begins work in Angola in the 4th Quarter of this year for an unspecified operator. Its coming in from Australia.
Marathon making a commitment to Gabon
US Marathon has taken a second lease, Akoumba Marin permit, in offshore Gabon. This time the company is going as far as between 600 and 6,000 ft of water. Marathon had a substantial commercial discovery Tchatamba Marine-1 (4,500 b/d oil), in a shallower water tract Kowe permit,(45 metres Water Depth) and currently it is appraising the discovery with Tchatamba Marine-2, located 1 km north of the discovery well. So far, Marathon has only a seismic commitment in Akoumba Marine, which is located 30 miles offshore.
A note of celebration
In July, work came to a virtual standstill for a few exciting moments all across Nigeria, and even out on the rigs and platforms, for in those shining moments, for the first time in the 36 years since Nigerian independence, Nigeria won not one but two gold medals at the Olympics. And one of those two golds were in soccer (football), our favorite sport.
Côte d'Ivoire drilling to evaluate Lion/Panthere
In Ivory Coast the jackup Compact Driller (a Sante Fe rig), will be working for UMIC for the next one year. It will be in Block C-12 to drill an exploratory well, aimed at evaluating the stratigraphy at the western flank of the Lion/Panthere trend.
Offshore West Africa conference & exhibition
November 5-7 of this year, Libreville, Gabon will be the site of West Africa's first truly regional offshore oil and gas conference and exhibition. Most major oil companies and the leading ministries of petroleum and African state oil companies will be there to celebrate the present boom and present their views and their products and services. More information can be had by contacting Offshore West Africa '96, c/o PennWell Conferences & Exhibitions, Houston (Fax: 713-963-6284), London (Fax: 44-181-744-9932) or Paris (Fax: 33-1-39 14 70 14).
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