BW finds Hibiscus reserve estimates to be bigger than expected

BW Offshore has raised its reserves estimates at the Hibiscus structure located on Dussafu Marin Permit, offshore Gabon, after finding oil in both the exploration well and appraisal sidetrack. 

BW Energy, a subsidiary of FPSO operator BW Offshore, is the operator of the Dussafu permit.

BW Offshore on Friday announced the successful completion of drilling operations on the Hibiscus Updip prospect in the Dussafu license. Both the exploration well and appraisal sidetrack encountered oil on the Hibiscus structure.

BW completed the exploration well at the Hibiscus Updip prospect (DHIBM-1) and encountered oil in late August. The DHIBM-1 exploration well was drilled by the Borr Norve jack-up drilling rig to a total depth of 3,538 meters in water depths of 116 meters.

Evaluation of logging and sampling data has confirmed that the well has encountered approximately 21 meters of pay in an overall hydrocarbon column of 33 meters in the Gamba formation.

After completing the exploration well, the rig moved on to the appraisal well.

Appraisal sidetrack 

BW said on Friday that the appraisal sidetrack (DHIBM-1 ST1), drilled 1,100 meters north-west of the original wellbore, had encountered 26 meters of pay in the Gamba formation. The oil-water contact was at the same level in both wells, confirming continuity of the hydrocarbon deposit.

Preliminary evaluation indicates gross recoverable reserves of 40 to 50 million bbls of oil, significantly greater than the pre-drill expectations.

“Hibiscus is the fourth consecutive oil discovery made on the Dussafu license with drilling operations completed safely and within budget,” said Carl K. Arnet CEO of BW Energy.

“It is in line with our phased development strategy for long- term value creation at Dussafu through increased production and identifying additional resources. The Hibiscus discovery and its surrounding prospects represent another area of significant potential in the Dussafu block and we are looking forward to the next phase of the program as we continue to unlock the potential of the Dussafu field.”

The DHIBM-1 well was designed to appraise one of several prospects that have been mapped in the greater Ruche area of the Dussafu license. The objective was to identify additional resources, which will be aggregated with the existing Ruche discovery and form the basis for future development. The company will complete the evaluation of the Hibiscus Updip discovery and evaluate the optimal commercial development.

Results ‘exceeded expectations’

Panoro, BW’s partner in the permit, said in a separate statement on Friday that further upside potential exists in the wider Hibiscus area which will be the focus of future exploration drilling.

The well will now be plugged and abandoned pending future appraisal and development activities.

John Hamilton, CEO of Panoro, commented: “Results of drilling at Hibiscus Updip have significantly exceeded expectations. Both the original wellbore and sidetrack have encountered oil columns with excellent reservoir properties and our estimate of gross recoverable oil at Hibiscus Updip is between 40 and 50 million barrels. Our phase 3 development plans to tie the nearby Ruche and Ruche NE fields back to the Adolo FPSO are now being expanded to include a possible fast-track development of the discovery.

“Additionally, this successful well enables us to further de-risk Gamba prospectivity in the Hibiscus area where we see significant additional potential.”

The rig will now proceed to drill four subsea production wells on the Tortue field which will be tied back to BW Adolo, before drilling another exploration well.

Offshore Energy Today Staff

Spotted a typo? Have something more to add to the story? Maybe a nice photo? Contact our editorial team via email.

Also, if you’re interested in showcasing your company, product or technology on Offshore Energy Today, please contact us via our advertising form where you can also see our media kit.