Ntorya Appraisal drilling in Tanzania’s Ruvuma to commence in Q3

Appraisal drilling in the Ruvuma PSA following the Ntorya 1 discovery is expected to commence this summer according to Block operator Aminex.

Two wells will be drilled in the Block in 2016 including Ntorya-2 to offset and appraise the Ntorya-1 discovery as well as the Ntorya-3, also being planned to test the main channel system.

Ntorya-2  is expected to be drilled 1500m to southwest of discovery well and is estimated to have a 60 percent Chance of Success based on Ntorya-1 well while Ntorya-3 well is expected to be drilled 5.65km west of Ntorya-1.

“Our next step will be to build on our earlier success in the Ruvuma area with follow-up drilling this year. We expect to spud a new well, Ntorya-2, to offset and appraise the Ntorya-1 discovery during the course of this summer with an additional well, Ntorya-3, also being planned to test the main channel system,” says Brian Hall, Chairman Aminex Plc.

The company completed a new seismic programme in the vicinity of its Ntorya-1 discovery on the Ruvuma PSA acreage in 2015 in a programme designed to identify the channel fairway associated with the Tertiary and Cretaceous reservoirs where Ntorya-1 tested gas at 20 MMcfd with 139 barrels of associated condensate.

Aminex currently has an obligation to drill a minimum of four exploration wells by the end of 2016 but is in discussions with the TPDC to focus resources on the development of Ntorya with a view to accelerating the supply of gas into the new regional pipeline system.

Should the Company have success in its appraisal and development drilling programme in the Ruvuma Basin, any further gas discovered can be commercialized through the new pipeline serving the Kiliwani North well.

“After drilling the Ntorya-2 appraisal well, Aminex plans to apply for a licence to fast-track development of the Ntorya field so as to monetise gas discoveries through the new gas infrastructure. Aminex is also in discussions with the TPDC to identify opportunities for an early production system from Ntorya-1 and Ntorya-2,” says Jay Bhattacherjee Chief Executive.

Contingent Resources (gross) at Ntorya are estimated at (Best Est.) 70 BCF* with a Pmean GIIP (gross): 153 BCF*

Participants in the Ruvuma PSA are; Ndovu Resources Ltd (Aminex) 75% (operator) and Solo Oil Plc 25%.

Meanwhile at the Nyuni Area PSA, Aminex says it will focus exploration activity on the deep water sector of the licence as the Tanzanian authorities have agreed to replace a commitment to acquire 2D seismic in the shallow zones with 3D seismic in the deep water sector.

Aminex adds this will enable the acquisition of up to 700 square kilometres of new 3D seismic in the deep water.

As part of this approval, a two-well commitment due to be carried out in 2015 has been deferred into the next exploration phase which expires in October 2019.