Elsewhere in Africa New Discoveries

Cairn Energy, FAR announce oil discovery Senegal

Samuel Kamau Mbote

Cairn together with its joint venture partners FAR ConocoPhillips 35% and Petrosen have announced that the FAN-1 exploration well, offshore Senegal, has discovered oil.

The well, located in 1,427 metres water depth and approximately 100 kilometres offshore in the Sangomar Deep block reached a Target Depth of 4,927 m and was targeting multiple stacked deepwater fans.

Preliminary analysis indicates:

  • 29m of net oil bearing reservoir in Cretaceous sandstones
  • No water contact was encountered in a gross oil bearing interval of more than 500m
  • Distinct oils types ranging from 28° API up to 41° API  indicated so far from a number of oil samples recovered to surface
  • Initial gross STOIIP estimates for the FAN-1 well range from P90, 250 mmbbls, P50, 950 mmbbls to P10, 2,500 mmbbls and are broadly in line with pre-drill STOIIP estimates.

“The oil discovered in the FAN-1 prospect is an important event for Senegal and the Joint Venture. We have encountered a very substantial oil bearing interval which may have significant potential as a standalone discovery. Furthermore, this result materially upgrades the prospectivity of the block with a proven petroleum system and a number of deep fan and shelf prospects established,” says Cairn Energy CEO Simon Thomson.

The companies however reiterate that as stated prior to the commencement of operations there are no plans for immediate well testing.

Further evaluation will now be required to calibrate the well with the existing 3D seismic in order to determine future plans and optimal follow up locations to determine the extent of the discovered resource.

Once operations are completed on the FAN-1 well, the rig will move to complete the second well, SNE-1 where the top hole has been drilled pending re-entry. This Shelf Edge Prospect targeting a dual objective in 1,100m water depth is in the Sangomar Deep block.

The FAN-1 well was drilled using the semi-submersible drilling unit “Cajun Express”.  It is the third well in Cairn’s North West Africa programme and first in Senegal.

“FAR looks forward to working with the Government of Senegal and our joint venture partners in determining follow up appraisal and exploration drilling plans. The FAR Board is committed to protecting and realising the full value of its Senegal blocks for the benefit of its shareholders,” says  FAR managing director Cath Norman.

Cairn has a 40% Working Interest (WI) in three blocks offshore Senegal (Sangomar Deep, Sangomar Offshore and Rusifique) ConocoPhillips has 35% WI, FAR Ltd 15% WI and Petrosen, the national oil company of Senegal 10% WI. The three blocks cover 7,490 km2.

 

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