UK-based oil and gas explorer Ophir Energy has announced gas discoveries in its Kamba and Fulusi prospects of 1.03 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in Tanzania.
This latest finds, combined with recent volume updates on the earlier discoveries, increases estimates of the total Block 1, 3 and 4 mean (2C) recoverable resources to 17.1tcf.
The Kamba-1 discovery is the joint venture’s 16th consecutive discovery in Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Following the results at Kamba-1, it provides critical mass for an LNG train to be supplied from the fields in Block 4.
It also takes the overall resource volume to the threshold for a future potential third LNG train from Blocks 1 and 4.
Kamba-1 represents the joint venture’s final well in the current drilling campaign.
BG Group operates the Block 4 licence and Ophir Energy holds a 20% interest.
The well was drilled by the Deepsea Metro I drillship in a water depth of 1,379m to a total depth of 3,969m, with the twin objectives of intersecting the Paleocene-aged Fulusi prospect and the primary target of the Cretaceous-aged Kamba prospect.
Within the Fulusi prospect, the Kamba-1 well encountered an 18m gross gas column, and after sidetracking to test the Kamba prospect, the Kamba-1 well established another gas column of 140m, with high net to gross good quality reservoir sands.
The well has encountered better quality reservoir sands than was predicted prior to drilling commencing.
Further analysis is expected to confirm volumes in excess of the pre-drilled estimate mean of 1.03tcf, comprising of 650billion cubic feet (bcf) in Kamba and 380bcf in Fulusi.
Ophir Energy chief executive Nick Cooper said: “The Kamba discovery has now confirmed sufficient aggregate resource in Block 4 to supply one 5MMTPA train of LNG.
“In combination with the discovered resource in Block 1, the Block 1 and 4 Joint Venture is now close to the threshold resource volumes for three 5MMTPA (Million Metric Tons Per Annum)LNG trains.
“Ophir is the most active explorer in Tanzania in 2014 and the drilling programme continues with the first of two operated exploration wells in the East Pande and then the Block 7 PSCs (Production Sharing Contracts).
“We are also pleased to re-assume operatorship of Block 3 to explore the potential of further upside.”
The Deepsea Metro I drillship will remain in Tanzania and move to drill two operated wells for Ophir in the East Pande and Block 7 PSCs.
Ophir Energy will also soon begin to spud the Tende-1 well on the East Pande licence, which it operates and holds a 70% interest in.
The Tende-1 well is on trend with the recent Taachui-1 discovery in Block 1 at a water depth of 680m and will be drilled to a planned total depth of 4,200m.
The well is targeting gas in a lower Cretaceous sandstone reservoir, with a mean prospective resource estimate of 2.38tcf at a 15% chance of success.
Drilling operations are expected to take approximately 35 days.
After completing the Tende-1 well, the Deepsea Metro I rig will move to Block 7 to drill the Mkuki-1 well.
Ophir has an 80% operated interest in Block 7 PSC, which is located to the north of the significant gas discoveries in Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Mkuki-1 will be located in the western, inboard portion of the block, in a water depth of 1,655m and has a planned total depth of 3,200m.
The well is targeting gas in a tertiary clastic reservoir with a mean prospective resource estimate of 2.19tcf at a 13% chance of success and drilling operations are expected to take approximately 20 days.
Ophir and Pavilion Energy have also committed to move into the next exploration phase on Block 3.
BG Group has decided to withdraw from Block 3 and following this Ophir has, under the terms of the PSC, applied to enter the next PSC term under which the Company will hold an 80% interest.
They will formally re-assume operatorship from October 2014, while Pavilion Energy will retain 20%, subject to government approval.
The 2012 Papa-1 gas discovery is the only well to have been drilled in Block 3 to date. The existing equity holdings on Block 1 and Block 4 remain as before as they also enter the next PSC terms.
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