Russians Keep Mum About Sierra Leone Result

LUKOIL COMPLETES DRILLING OF THE FIRST EXPLORATION WELL OFFSHORE SIERRA LEONE
LUKOIL Overseas, operator of international upstream projects and a 100% subsidiary of LUKOIL, completed drilling of the first exploration well on structure (SL-5-11 deepwater block) offshore Sierra Leone. The well depth is more than 4,700 m,. Drilling was accomplished using Ocean Rig Eirik Raude, world’s largest self-propelled offshore platform of the 5th generation.
Platform’s height is 122 m, length is 119 m, width is 85 m, and displacement is 53 thousand tons, velocity is 7 knots, crew is 120 persons.
Drilling was completed according to the schedule, with no violations of safety or environmental requirements, in strict adherence to the contractual obligations.
Currently, the appraisal of potential hydrocarbon deposits is being performed. The results of this appraisal, as well as other data obtained while drilling, will undergo comprehensive analysis and classification. This work scheduled to be completed by the end of this year is aimed to expand the information available on the geological structure and petroleum potential of Sierra-Leonian – Liberian basin.

In 2011, LUKOIL Overseas as the Operator with a 49% share.
Due to the importance of this program as an organic part of LUKOIL broad-scale drilling campaign in West Africa, the ceremonial launch of drilling in SL-5-11 block in September 2013 was attended by Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone, Guennady Gatilov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and Andrey Kuzyaev, President of LUKOIL Overseas.Did Lukoil’s first exploration well in Sierra Leone encounter any commercial sized pool of hydrocarbons? The answer is hard to tell from the company’s press release. “Drilling was completed according to the schedule”, the Russian operator says of Savannah-1, located in water depths exceeding 2,000 metres in SL-5-11 block, and drilled to 4,700 metres.  The well was drilled by the Ocean Rig Eirik Raude.  “The set objectives were achieved; targeted prospects were penetrated, oil saturated reservoirs were identified; oil samples were taken from the Turonian sands”. But that’s as far as you could get in terms of specifics. “Currently, the appraisal of potential hydrocarbon deposits is being performed.
The results of this appraisal, as well as other data obtained while drilling, will undergo comprehensive analysis and classification”, the release notes. “This work scheduled to be completed by the end of this year is aimed to expand the information available on the geological structure and petroleum potential of Sierra-Leonian – Liberian basin”. Lukoil entered the Production Sharing Agreement for exploration and development of the 4,022km² block in 2011. “A standard contract for exploration and development of the block was concluded for the term of 30 years by project participants, including Oranto (30%) and PanAtlantic (21%)”. Lukoil operates the acreage with 49%.  “Minimum exploration programme includes re-interpretation of historical seismic data, an electric exploration survey and drilling of one exploration well”