News Release
East Africa Operational Update
15 April 2013 - Tullow Oil plc ("Tullow") provides an update on progress with the Sabisa-1 well in Ethiopia and announces a successful first flow test of the Ngamia-1 well in Kenya.
Ethiopia - Sabisa-1 encounters hydrocarbons requiring logging and further evaluation
The Sabisa-1 well in the South Omo Block in Southern Ethiopia has been drilled to a total depth of 1,810 metres. Hydrocarbon indications in sands beneath a thick claystone top seal have been recorded whilst drilling, but hole instability issues have required the drilling of a sidetrack to comprehensively log and sample these zones of interest. The sidetrack recently commenced and a result is now expected in late May. Tullow (50%) is the operator of this well with Africa Oil (30%) and Marathon Oil (20%) having non-operated interests.
Kenya - first of six Ngamia-1 well tests flows at 281 bopd
At the Ngamia-1 well in Block 10BB in Kenya, the first of six drill stem tests has now been completed. The test was carried out in the Lower Lokhone formation. The well flowed 281 barrels of 30 degree API oil per day using a Progressive Cavity Pump. The other tests will be carried out in the Auwerwer reservoirs (formerly Upper Lokhone) which produced very well in the recent tests at the Twiga South-1 well. The mobilization of the drilling rig from Paipai in Block 10A to the Etuko (previously Kamba) location in Block 10BB in Kenya continues on schedule with drilling expected to commence in the first half of May. Tullow operates the Ngamia-1 well and Africa Oil (50%) has a non-operated interest.
Angus McCoss, Exploration Director of Tullow Oil plc, commented today,
"The Sabisa-1 well has proved to be technically challenging, as is often the case in frontier basins, and the well now requires a side-track to redrill, log and sample the objective section. Nevertheless, we are encouraged by the hydrocarbon indications which provide emerging evidence for a working petroleum system in the previously undrilled South Omo Basin. The results from the first flow test at Ngamia are also very encouraging and prove the first potentially commercial flow from the Lower Lokhone reservoir section. The remaining tests in the Auwerwer reservoir units will give us a fuller indication of Ngamia's production potential."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tullow Oil plc (London)
(+44 20 3249 9000) Chris Perry (Investor Relations) James Arnold (Investor Relations) George Cazenove (Media Relations) |
Citigate Dewe Rogerson (London)
(+44 207 638 9571)
Martin Jackson Jack Rich |
Murray Consultants
(Dublin) (+353 1 498 0300)
Joe Murray Joe Heron |
Notes to Editors
Tullow Oil plc
Tullow is a leading independent oil & gas, exploration and production group, quoted on the London, Irish and Ghanaian stock exchanges (symbol: TLW) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The Group has interests in over 150 exploration and production licences across 25 countries which are managed as three regional business units: West & North Africa, South & East Africa and Europe, South America and Asia.
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