FAR takes further interest in Gambian blocks, resets exploration periods

Australia-based FAR Limited has obtained an additional interest in its two operated Gambian blocks and signed new licenses for the blocks thereby resetting the exploration periods. A well is planned for 2020.

FAR Limited said on Tuesday it had acquired an additional 10% interest in the Blocks A2 and A5 offshore The Republic of The Gambia, giving FAR a 50% working interest and the company retains operatorship. The interest is held in the FAR subsidiary, FAR Gambia Ltd.

In addition, the Government of The Gambia (GOTG) has issued new licenses to the Joint Venture in respect of the A2 and A5 Blocks, incorporating updates to the license terms. Under the new licenses, FAR Gambia Ltd and PC Gambia Ltd (a subsidiary of Petronas) each has a 50% participating and paying interest.

The licenses have a three-year initial exploration period, starting immediately, plus two optional extension periods of two years each.

Another key term of the licenses is a commitment to drill one well in the first two years in either Block and to acquire, process, and interpret 450km2 of 3D seismic in the first three years.

The two licenses have signature bonuses of $4.5m ($2.25m net to FAR) and they are effective from October 1, 2019.

FAR has conducted extensive geotechnical studies on the Samo-1 well data, which has led to the identification of additional target intervals to those mapped prior to drilling. Work is on-going to map and quantify the resulting prospects, and updates on the prospects and their resource potential will be made when this work has been completed.

A 3D seismic survey is planned for late 2019 to further delineate some of the identified prospects and a well is planned to be drilled in 2020.

The Blocks A2 and A5 License areas, covering 2,682 km2, are adjacent to and on trend with FAR’s world class SNE oil field discovery which is moving toward development and first oil in 2022.

FAR Management said, “FAR is very pleased to conclude the discussion with the Government of The Gambia which has resulted in the signing of new Licenses for the A2 and A5 blocks. In addition to FAR acquiring the additional 10% equity in these blocks, the new Licenses reset the exploration periods and provide more time and options to fully explore this acreage. FAR is very encouraged by the high prospectivity in these Gambian blocks and will immediately commence plans for seismic acquisition and drilling in 2020.”

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