Bowleven Reports Another Discovery at Sapele-3 Well, Offshore Cameroon

Bowleven, the West Africa focused oil and gas exploration group , announces that the Sapele-3 exploration well drilling in the Douala Basin, offshore Cameroon, has been drilled to a total depth (TD) of 4,480 metres. Having  successfully extended the previously defined play fairways at the Paleocene and shallower Tertiary intervals, the well is now being suspended for future re-entry, testing and potential use as a development well.

The well intersected log-evaluated net hydrocarbon pay of approximately 8 metres in the deeper reservoirs, of which 6 metres were located in reservoir sands with good porosity and permeability within the Paleocene Epsilon interval. Gas  chromatograph ratio analysis and shows while drilling indicate that the sands are likely to be oil-bearing.

Immediate testing of the Epsilon interval was not possible, as downhole temperatures exceeded the temperature rating of the available surface equipment.

The current intention is to undertake testing during the 2012/13 drilling campaign on Etinde. Following the completion of suspension operations, the Sapphire Driller jack-up will be released from contract.

Etinde Drilling Programme

Bowleven previously announced that it the Group intends to pursue a 2012 work programme that includes up to three appraisal wells and one exploration well on the Etinde Permit.

For that purpose Bowleven has issued a letter of intent and reached agreement in principle for a jack-up drilling rig to drill a programme of two firm and up to two further option wells on the Etinde Permit in 2012.

Kevin Hart, Chief Executive of Bowleven plc, commented:

“Sapele-3 has been a successful well, our fourth consecutive well in the Douala Basin to encounter significant hydrocarbon intervals at multiple levels. The discoveries made in the Epsilon Complex and shallower Tertiary intervals, representing a total of 19 metres of net hydrocarbon bearing pay, have at each level extended considerably the previously defined play fairway boundaries. The extensive data acquired during drilling operations will  contribute significantly to the derisking of appraisal locations and inform future development and exploitation planning. The next key step is to evaluate this well data and plan an optimal test programme for the Deep Omicron and Epsilon intervals.

We are also pleased to have secured a suitable rig for the planned programme on Etinde next year, and look forward to further progress towards our dual asset objectives of converting resources to reserves and continuing to explore the potential  of the Douala Basin.”

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Offshore Energy Today Staff , November 24, 2011; Image: Bowleven