Tullow spuds first of two exploration wells offshore Guyana

Oil and gas company Tullow Oil has started drilling operations offshore Guyana with the spudding of the first exploration well on its Jethro-Lobe prospect on the Orinduik Block.

Tullow is the operator of the Orinduik Block with a 60% Working Interest and its partners are Total and Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas with 25% and 15% interest, respectively.

Eco said on Friday that the exploration well on the Jethro-Lobe prospect was spud at 22:45hrs (Local Guyana time) on Thursday, July 4, 2019, using the Stena Forth drillship.

The Stena Forth was mobilized from West Africa – where it had been operating for Tullow – to the Orinduik Block in June. The Jethro Lobe prospect was initially expected to be spudded on or around June 26, 2019.

Eco and its partners estimate that the well will take up to 40 days to drill.

Jethro Lobe is the first prospect to be drilled as part of a two-well program and will be immediately followed by the drilling of an exploration well on the Joe prospect.

Eco added it is fully funded for its share of up to six potential exploration or development wells on the Orinduik Block in addition to the Jethro Lobe and Joe exploration wells.

Gil Holzman, Eco Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Today Eco Atlantic’s first Guyana well has been spud, three years ahead of our Petroleum Agreement commitment. This is the start of a hugely exciting time for the company. Jethro Lobe will test the Lower Tertiary aged turbidites, as well drilling down into the Cretaceous. As such, we await the well results with great anticipation, as they will give us an even greater understanding of the geological plays.

“The huge success which ExxonMobil has had on the neighbouring Stabroek Block, has aided our geological assessment of the many similar channel systems in our Orinduik Block. With fifteen leads and prospects identified on the Orinduik Block, and funding to drill six potential exploration wells beyond the two currently planned, this is only the start of a fascinating and potentially transformational time for the company.”

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