Ophir Energy plc announces the successful results of its Ngisi drilling programme, Block 4 Tanzania and the upgrade of the recoverable resource across the Chewa-Pweza-Ngisi hub in Block 4 to 4.5 TCF. Ophir holds 40% of Blocks 1, 3 and 4. BG Group operates with 60%.
Ngisi discovery, successful Chewa appraisal and resource upgrade:
The Ngisi-1 well was drilled by the Deepsea Metro I drillship approximately 5km to the North East of the Chewa-1 well. It was designed to appraise the Chewa gas discovery drilled in 2010 and to penetrate the Ngisi exploration prospect. On completion of the initial well, two sidetracks were undertaken to further delineate both Chewa and Ngisi. Gas pay was encountered in the Ngisi prospect within a high net to gross reservoir interval. The penetrations into the Chewa reservoir also encountered gas pay as prognosed and confirmed widespread, excellent reservoir characteristics. As a result, these wells have increased the mean recoverable resource of the Chewa-Pweza-Ngisi hub from 3.7 TCF to 4.5 TCF, in excess of pre-drill expectations, in addition to derisking exploration upside in several nearby targets.
This drilling result has also further demonstrated the feasibility of drilling highly deviated wells which will be incorporated into development planning of the assets. Ophir and BG Group successfully drilled their first deviated well in December 2012 in the Jodari Field.
Forward Tanzanian exploration and appraisal programme:
The Deepsea Metro I drillship has now moved to drill the Mkizi-1 exploration well in Block 1. Mkizi is a 0.6 TCF prospect of Tertiary age, close to the Jodari discovery. After Mkizi, appraisal of the Block 4 Pweza discovery is planned.
Nick Cooper, CEO, commented:
“The successful Ngisi drilling results provide critical mass for the aggregation and development of the gas discoveries in Block 4. These will be piped ashore and combined with the Block 1 resources for Tanzania’s LNG development.”
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Press Release, July 3, 2013; Image: BG Group