ANADARKO has apparently made an oil discovery offshore Mozambique with an exploration well drilled into the Ironclad Prospect, which is located on the same block as the recent Windjammer gas discovery. It was in February that the US independent made a gas discovery with its Windjammer probe. Early estimates place reserves in the 4-10trillion cu ft range.
According to a statement issued by Mozambique’s mineral-resources minister, Esperanca Bias, and reported in local newspapers, the drillship, Belford Dolphin, drilled to a total depth of 5,100m (16,733ft), but is carrying out further investigations to assess the discovery for its commercial potential.
Ironclad is Palaeocene/Cretaceous and lies in the southern part of Rovuma Offshore Area 1. Anadarko is the operator of Rovuma Offshore Area 1 and the Ironclad well in partnership with Artumas, Mitsui E&P, Cove and state operator ENH.