Cairn Energy of United Kingdom and its Senegalese partners have made an oil discovery, which has the potential to be a “significant standalone development”, on the deepwater FAN-1 well.
The well, drilled using the semisubmersible Cajun Express, reached 4927m target depth and was targeting multiple stacked deepwater fans. It discovered 29m of net oil bearing reservoir in Cretaceous sandstones. No water contact was encountered in a gross oil bearing interval of more than 500m
Cairn’s CEO, Simon Thomson who spoke in London over the weekend said, oil was found in 1427m water depth, about 100km offshore Senegal in the Sangomar Deep block, and was an important event for Senegal and its joint venture.
“We have encountered a very substantial oil bearing interval which may have significant potential as a standalone discovery,” he said. “Furthermore, this result materially upgrades the prospectivity of the block with a proven petroleum system and a number of deep fan and shelf prospects established.”
The well was the first drilled in deep water offshore, Senegal and was the first well drilled in the country’s offshore waters for more than 20 years, says Australia-based partner Far Ltd.
Initial gross STOIIP estimates for the FAN-1 well range from P90, 250 mmbbls, P50, 950 mmbbls to P10, 2,500 mmbbls and are broadly in line with pre-drill STOIIP estimates
The FAN-1 well was the third well in Cairn’s North West Africa program and first in Senegal.
Source : Independent
