Exploration and development activity continue on the Dussafu license offshore Gabon, despite the disruption caused by last Saturday’s sinking of the jackup Prospector 5.

In its latest operations update, partner Panoro Energy said the initial two open water wells drilled prior to the rig incident to appraise the North-West Hibiscus area both encountered oil.

The first well intersected a 16-m oil column in good-quality Gamba reservoir sands next to the Hibiscus field. A follow-up side-track from the main well bore confirmed the extension of the structure with a 30 m oil column, on an undeveloped area of the Hibiscus field.

Operator BW Energy estimates a combined resource of 8-9 MMbbl.

Work continues on the Bourdon field development in the same license, with first oil targeted in Q1 2028. The initial program comprises three production wells from a wellhead platform.

Further drilling targets identified around the Bourdon discovery could add further upside.