Statoil and co-venturer ExxonMobil announced its fifth discovery in Block 2 offshore Tanzania. The discovery of an additional 2-3 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas in place in the Mronge-1 well brings the total of in-place volumes up to 17-20 Tcf in Block 2.
Mronge-1 is drilled by the drillship Discoverer Americas , and the site is located 20 kilometres north of the Zafarani discovery, and at 2,500-metre water depth.
“ We have initiated a new and ambitious drilling campaign offshore Tanzania following four successful discoveries during the first drilling phase. The Mronge-1 well discovered additional gas volumes and furthers the potential for a natural gas development in Tanzania. The new drilling program also allows us to fully explore the remaining exploration potential in Block 2 ,” says Nick Maden, senior vice president for Statoil’s exploration activities in the Western hemisphere.
The Mronge-1 well discovered gas at two separate levels. The main accumulation is at the same stratigraphic level as proven in the Zafarani-1 well in Block 2. The Zafarani-1 discovery was made in 2012 and was a play opener for the block.
The secondary accumulation was encountered in a separate, younger gas bearing reservoir, in a play which previously has not been tested in Block 2.
The Mronge-1 discovery is the venture’s fifth discovery in Block 2. It was preceded by three successful high-impact gas discoveries during the first drilling phase with Tangawizi-1, Zafarani-1 and Lavani-1, and a deeper discovery in a separate reservoir in Lavani-2.
“ These are high value resources. The attractiveness is also demonstrated by a recent asset transaction in the neighboring block. The discoveries also demonstrate how Statoil’s strategy of focusing on high-impact opportunities is paying off and supports the company’s ambition for international growth, ” Maden says.
“ The Tanzania government is pleased to learn about additional gas resources discovered in Block 2 ,” says Sospeter Muhongo, Minister for Energy and Minerals in Tanzania .
The Statoil-operated partnership started its new drilling campaign in Block 2 in September 2013. In addition to Mronge-1, the campaign includes drilling of several new prospects and appraisal of previous discoveries. Following Mronge-1, the partnership is scheduled to appraise the 2012 Zafarani discovery.
Statoil operates the licence on Block 2 on behalf of Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and has a 65% working interest, with ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited holding the remaining 35%. Statoil has been in Tanzania since 2007, when it was awarded the operatorship for Block 2.
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, December 06, 2013; Image: Statoil