Apache Encounters Gas at Mbawa-1 Well, Offshore Kenya

Mbawa-1 exploration well in the Apache operated L8 licence area, offshore Kenya, has encountered gas in the shallowest objective.

The Mbawa-1 exploration well has been drilled to a depth of 2,553 metres and has encountered approximately 52 metres of net gas pay in porous Cretaceous sandstones. The well will now be drilled to a total depth of 3,275 metres targeting further exploration objectives.

Apache (50%) is Operator of the offshore Block L8 Licence along with partners Origin Energy (20%), Pancontinental (15%) and Tullow (15%).

The well is being drilled with the drillship Deepsea Metro 1.

Angus McCoss, Tullow Exploration Director, said: “A gas discovery on prognosis in the shallowest objective at Mbawa-1 is an encouraging start to our East African Transform Margin exploration campaign. This is the first hydrocarbon discovery offshore Kenya. The on-going drilling remains on course to test for any deeper oil potential within this gas prone region”.

Pancontinental, which owns a 15% stake in the joint venture, estimates that the Mbawa Prospect has potential to contain more than 4.9 Billion Barrels of oil.

Barry Rushworth, CEO and Director of Pancontinental said: “While we have not finished operations in Mbawa 1, this gas discovery is very promising and it is the first ever substantive hydrocarbon discovery offshore Kenya. We are delighted to prove that there is a working hydrocarbon system offshore Kenya. Further work continues to evaluate the size of the discovery. We thank the Government of Kenya for its cooperation and support in achieving this very positive initial outcome for the country of Kenya, for the L8 joint venture and for Pancontinental. With drilling continuing to a deeper exploration target, these interim results may be the first part of the story in this well, and they are certainly just the beginning of the main story of oil and gas exploration offshore Kenya.”

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, September 10, 2012