Perenco has reported drilling success at its PNGF Sud licence, in Congo Brazzaville, potentially opening a new play.
Perenco Congo has found oil with the TCHNEM-101 exploration well, it said. It drilled the well on the Tchibeli North East pre-salt Vandji exploration prospect.
“This exploration discovery by Perenco Congo and its partners is a potential ‘play opener’ in the pre-salt in Congo, and we are pleased to have also identified a number of other Vandji leads on the acreage,” said Rory Keith, Perenco Group exploration manager.
“The safe and successful drilling of this challenging well, on time and within budget, is testament to the efforts of Perenco’s exploration team in London and the excellence of the drilling team in Pointe Noire. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in support of the Republic of Congo.”
The well found top reservoir at 3,420 measured depth, encountering a 205 metre gross section of the Vandji reservoir. The well reached a total depth of 3,630 metres in the basement.
Perenco reported a 75 metre oil column from logs, with good oil and gas shows in the reservoir.
A production test from two zones, covering 62 metres, produced 2,000 barrels per day on natural flow.
The company drilled the well with the Dagda Mobile Offshore Drilling and Production Unit (MODPU). The rig moved to the site at the end of August.
Perenco Congo has a 40% stake in the PNGF Sud licence and is the operator. Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) has 15%, Hemla E&P Congo has 20%, Continent Congo has 10%, Africa Oil & Gas 10% and Petro Congo 5%.