Cobalt makes pre-salt discoveries offshore Angola
Cobalt makes pre-salt discoveries offshore Angola
HOUSTON -- Cobalt International Energy has announced discoveries at its Lontra #1 and Mavinga #1 deepwater pre-salt exploratory wells offshore Angola.
On Block 20, the Lontra #1 well has reached total depth, and the drilling and evaluation results confirm an oil and gas discovery. Further evaluation, including a drill stem test, is required to assess Lontra’s potential. Cobalt expects to be able to provide more information on the Lontra #1 well prior to year end.
Upon completion of testing operations, Cobalt plans to mobilize the Petroserv SSV Catarina drilling rig to the Orca #1 pre-salt exploratory well (formerly the Baleia Prospect), located approximately 15 mi northeast of Lontra in Block 20. Cobalt’s partners in Block 20 include Sonangol Pesquisa e Produção, S.A. and BP Exploration Angola (Kwanza Benguela) Limited.
In addition, Cobalt announced the Mavinga #1 pre-salt oil discovery on Block 21. The Cobalt operated Mavinga #1 exploratory well, located approximately 8 mi northwest of Cobalt’s 2012 Cameia discovery, reached total depth and encountered approximately 100 ft of net oil pay. This discovery was confirmed by the successful production of oil from mini drill stem tests, direct pressure and permeability measurements, and log and core analyses. Efforts to establish a sustained flow rate from a full drill stem test were not successful. Cobalt is in the early stages of determining what operational issues may have prevented the production from the oil reservoir during the drill stem test.
Cobalt estimates a gross oil column of up to 650 ft at the crest of the Mavinga structure updip of the Mavinga #1 well. Additional drilling will be required to confirm the ultimate gross thickness of the mound and its reservoir quality; however, the Mavinga discovery is expected to be tied-back to, and become part of, the planned Cameia development complex in Block 21.
Following the temporary abandonment of the Mavinga #1 well, Cobalt mobilized the Ocean Confidence drilling rig to proceed with the drilling of the Bicuar #1A pre-salt exploratory well located south of the Cameia and Mavinga discoveries on Block 21. Cobalt’s partners in Block 21 include Sonangol Pesquisa e Produção, S.A., Nazaki Oil and Gaz, and Alper Limitada.
