Ophir firms up key prospects off Seychelles

Australian energy company WHL Energy Limited has firmed up key prospects in Seychelles acreage following interpretation of a preliminary PreSTM volume of the Junon 3D seismic survey.

The seismic survey was carried out with Dolphin’s seismic vessel Polar Duchess hired by Ophir Energy, operator of the jointly held Seychelles exploration blocks.

According to WHL Energy, detailed interpretation of the Junon PreSTM 3D data by WHL Energy has firmed up key prospects in the Junon area which were initially identified by the previous regional 2D seismic survey, enabling a revision to Prospective Resources for these prospects.

Four key structures have been high-graded within the Junon 3D area, being the Junon South East, Junon Central, Junon South and Junon West prospects. Prospective Resources for these Junon 3D prospects are tabulated, along with key leads outside the Junon 3D seismic survey area.

Arising from the 3D seismic interpretation, the Junon Central and Junon South East prospects have developed into better defined and very substantial opportunities, WHL said in the press release.

Commenting on the results, WHL Energy Managing Director, David Rowbottam, said: “It is pleasing to report continued strong progress with our Seychelles asset. Our in-depth work has confirmed Junon Central and Junon South East as both being highly material opportunities with best estimate Prospective Resources in excess of 200 MMbbl, along with follow-up potential at Junon South.”

“It is also encouraging that prospects and leads which were initially identified on the regional 2D seismic grid have developed into potentially substantial prospects with the 3D seismic acquisition. This provides confidence that the high upside potential identified in the Beau Vallon structure and the Junon North trend prospects, which are currently only defined on 2D seismic, will potentially develop into valuable prospects with further 3D seismic acquisition.

“If our JV partner Ophir Energy plc elects to continue to the drilling phase under its farm-in agreement then these are the likely targets of future seismic acquisition,” Rowbottam said.

Rowbottam also reported: “The maps used by WHL Energy to compile the latest estimates will not be released until the Operator has completed their review.”

The Joint Venture is currently undertaking PreSDM processing of the Junon 3D seismic data set to provide optimum data quality and the PreSDM data is expected to be received in May 2015.

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