ExxonMobil and partners have made a new hydrocarbon discovery in the offshore Bavuca Sul-1 exploration well off Luanda’s coast, Angola’s National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) has announced.
“The well encountered 30 metres of high-quality sandstone containing hydrocarbons,” ANPG said.
The well, located in Block 15 about 365 kilometres northwest of the coast of Luanda, was drilled through a water sheet of 1,100 metres, ANPG said.
“As operator of the Block, ExxonMobil is implementing new technology and multi-year drilling technologies and a multi-year drilling programme and expects to produce approximately 40,000 barrels of oil per day.”
Seventeen discoveries have been made previously in Block 15, namely Hungo, Kissanje, Marimba and Dikanza, in 1998, Chocalho and Xikomba, in 1999, Mondo, Saxi and Batuque, in 2000, Mbulumbumba, Vicango and Mavacola, in 2001, Reco-Reco in 2002, and Clochas, Kakocha, Tchihumba and Bavuca, in 2003.
Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, an ExxonMobil subsidiary, is operator of Block 15 with a 36 per cent stake.
BP Exploration (Angola) Limited holds 24 per cent, ENI Angola Exploration BV holds 18 per cent, Equinor Angola Block 15 AS holds 12 per cent and Sonangol P&P has 10 per cent.