Ophir: Papa-1 Well Makes First Cretaceous Gas Discovery Offshore Tanzania

Ophir Energy plc announces that the Papa-1 well has made the first Cretaceous gas discovery outboard of the Rufiji Delta in Block 3, offshore Tanzania and is the sixth consecutive discovery by Ophir offshore Tanzania.

Nick Cooper, CEO of Ophir said: “Papa-1 was the sixth well, and sixth consecutive discovery, for the Ophir-BG Joint Venture offshore Tanzania. The Papa discovery reaffirms the potential repeatability of the Intraslope Play and ability to aggregate substantial gas volumes across Blocks 1,3,4.

“The two most recent wells in Tanzania were designed to test the deeper-lying prospectivity of the Cretaceous Intraslope play. The Mzia-1 success in May 2012 confirmed for the first time the prospectivity in the Upper Cretaceous sequences outboard of the Rovuma Delta. The Papa-1 success now confirms similar Upper Cretaceous prospectivity outboard of the Rufiji Delta and represents the first discovery in Block 3. While recoverable resources are likely to be lower than pre-drill estimates, this very encouraging discovery is expected to lead to substantial additional resources from this new Upper Cretaceous play.

“The next drilling on Blocks 1,3,4 will focus on adding further resource around the Jodari discovery to form a potential hub for the LNG development.

“Separately, Ophir has received preliminary products from the recently recorded Block 1 3D seismic survey that is targeting the Rovuma Delta Basin Floor Fan play. Interpretation work is commencing to determine whether the area contains features potentially comparable to those discovered in the adjacent play offshore Mozambique.

“Ophir has transformed its resource base with the four discoveries across our assets in the first half of 2012. We anticipate two further well results from Equatorial Guinea by early September.”

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Press Release, August 02, 2012; Image: Odfjelldrilling