The latest Ethiopian drill for Irish explorer Tullow Group has brought disappointing results.
The Gardim-1 exploration well, drilled on the eastern flank of the Chew Bahir Basin in the South Omo licence, onshore Ethiopia, has reached a total depth of 2,468 metres, without encountering commercial oil.
The well intersected lacustrine and volcanic formations, similar to those found in the Shimela-1 well on the north-western flank of the basin. Only minor gas shows were found just above the field’s basement.
The well will now be plugged and abandoned as the company considers the location for the next phase of its Ethiopian exploration campaign.
“We have now drilled two independent wildcat wells in the Chew Bahir Basin, neither of which encountered commercial oil,” said Angus McCoss, exploration director at Tullow Oil.
“Whilst our analysis continues, initial indications suggest that the targeted seismic anomalies related to lavas that flowed into a lake basin.
“Having gained valuable data, including evidence of thermogenic gas, we look forward to the next phase of our exploration campaign in Ethiopia.”