NNPC and partner FIRST E&P have made a potentially large shallow-water oil discovery offshore Nigeria.

The well on the Songhai field, in OML 85 in the Bayelsa region, was drilled in 30 m of water and to a TD of 8,883 ft MD.

It encountered hydrocarbons across eight reservoirs, with over 1,000 ft of hydrocarbon-bearing sands logged, most with good reservoir properties.

Early analysis suggests substantial oil and gas volumes in place. The partnership plans formation testing and integration of the well data to firm up resource estimates and assist field development planning.

At present, the joint venture produces around 57,000 b/d of oil from the OML 83 and 85 leases.