BW discovers oil at Dussafu well offshore Gabon

BW Energy has made an oil discovery in the Ruche North East Marin-1 (DRNEM-1) well drilled in the Dussafu Marin PSC, offshore Gabon. 

The Dussafu license is operated by BW Energy Gabon (BWEG), which holds a 91.667 percent interest, while Panoro holds an 8.333 percent interest as a partner. BW Energy is a subsidiary of BW Offshore.

The DRNEM-1 well was spud by the Borr Drilling-owned Borr Norve jack-up drilling rig following the end of the second quarter.

Panoro informed on Friday that the DRNEM-1 well was drilled to identify additional oil resources in the pre-salt Gamba and Dentale Formations in the greater Ruche area, and completed within budget. These resources may be developed together in the future with the existing Ruche field discoveries made by Panoro in 2011 and located 3km to the south west, the company added.

Drilled with the Borr Norve jack-up unit in 115 meters water depth, the DRNEM-1 well reached a vertical depth of 3,400 meters within the Dentale Formation. Log evaluation, pressure data and fluid samples indicate that approximately 15 meters of good quality oil pay was encountered in the Gamba Formation and 25 meters of oil pay in stacked reservoirs within the Dentale Formation. Additional technical evaluation in currently being undertaken to appraise this discovery.

Panoro said that the forward plan includes a sidetrack which will appraise the Dentale sands in an updip location and the lateral extent of the Gamba reservoir.

John Hamilton, CEO of Panoro said: “This is another exciting oil discovery at Dussafu, where since 2011 we have had an outstanding drilling success rate with 9 consecutive well penetrations finding oil. We are pleased by this positive result and we are now moving forward with the appraisal program.”

As previously reported, the FPSO Adolo has arrived in Gabon. The hook up of mooring systems is now completed and the installation of risers and umbilicals is progressing according to plan. Completion is expected in time for planned production start- up from the Dussafu field in late September or early October this year.