Ophir Energy has commenced drilling the first of two wells focused on pre Salt reservoirs in deepwater offshore Gabon. Padouk Deep 1 is also the first of three exploration wells in the country in 2014, of which the third is targeting a delta play.
Padouck Deep and Okala are targeting the pre-salt play in the Mbeli and Ntsina permits and Affanga Deep targeting the Ogooué delta play in the Gnondo permit. Ophir holds 40% in Mbeli and Ntsina, wth Petrobras and OMV holding 50% and 10% respectively. InManga and Gnondo, Ophir holds 70% to OMV’s 30%.
The company is utilizing the Vantage Titanium Explorer drillship for all three wells.
Padouck Deep-1 located in the North Gabon basin although the company says that the play is regionally extensive elsewhere in Gabon and West Africa. “The prospect is estimated to contain Pmean recoverable resources of c.1.0bnbbls with significant follow-on potential”.
TOTAL operated Diaman #1B well, located in 1,729 meters of water, in South Gabon basin, was the first test of the Pre-salt in deepwater Gabon.- It encountered 50-55 metres of net hydrocarbons in the target formation. Ophir expects to find oil.
Padouck Deep and Okala costs largely carried by Petrobras and OMV1, Affanga Deep partially carried by OMV1
The well is located in a water depth of approximately 835m and has a planned Total Depth of 3,500m True Vertical Depth Sub Sea. Operations are expected to take approximately 45 days. Ophir’s share of the well cost is largely carried by partners Petrobras and OMV*.
