Ophir Energy has come up dry in its first appraisal well for the Ntsina block off the coast of Gabon.
The drilling on the Padouck Deep-1 well began mid-February targeting the Cretaceous Gamba and Coniquet/Dentale sands in the pre-salt section of the prospect, expected to hold an estimated 1billion barrels of oil.
But no significant hydrocarbon shows were found as the drill reached the total depth of 3,297m but minor shows were found at shallower intervals.
Data logging is ongoing, but initial results from the deeper pre-salt sections suggest similar deposits to the reservoirs found onshore Gabon, the company said.
“The Padouck Deep-1 result is disappointing but its failure appears to be prospect-specific and does not dampen our enthusiasm for the broader pre-salt play offshore Gabon,” said Nick Cooper, chief executive of Ophir Energy.
“Despite the lack of commercial success with Padouck Deep-1, these are positives for future exploration of the play.
“Trap integrity was identified as the key risk pre-drill and the absence of salt across this prospect is likely to have contributed to the result. The next pre-salt well will be on the Okala prospect where a thick salt section is interpreted above the target reservoirs.”
Before the firm’s moves onto Okala, it will focus on the Affanga Deep prospect in Gnondo Block which is estimated to hold 170million barrels.