Afren plc announces the start of drilling operations at the Ebok field
Afren plc and its partner Oriental Energy Resources today announced that the Ebok-5 well offshore South East Nigeria has spudded. This represents the start of the initial development phase of the Ebok field.
Both the Ebok-5 and Ebok-6 appraisal targets exhibit amplitude conformance with the Fault Block 1 and Fault Block 2 areas of the field, where 53 MMbbls of recoverable crude oil has already been proved to date, and are therefore extensions of proven oil bearing reservoirs.
Following completion of the initial horizontal wells on the Fault Block 1 & 2 areas, Afren will target the upside in the D2 Southern Lobe, and drill a further three horizontal production wells and one water injection well drilled from the existing wellhead support structure.
Fabrication of the Ebok wellhead support structure is well underway, with final negotiations taking place for the production facilities. The required environmental impact assessment (“EIA”) for Ebok, together with the field development plan (“FDP”) have been submitted to the Nigerian authorities.
Following completion of the initial development phases (which is set to deliver production of 15,000 bopd in H1 2010, increasing to 35,000 bopd by end 2010), it is planned that the second phase development will be launched, incorporating the full development of the D1 reservoir (Fault Block 1 & 2 areas) and Fault Block West, whilst appraising the potential within the West Flank Qua Iboe structure (150 mmbbls STOIIP, estimated 45 MMbbls recoverable resources) and Fault Block North (30 MMbbls STOIIP, estimated 9 mmbbls recoverable resources).
The recent acquisition of the adjacent Okwok Field, significantly enhances Afren’s assessment of the resource potential of the greater Ebok - Okwok petroleum complex. Afren currently plans to drill one appraisal well at Okwok in mid 2010, and is engaged in studies to determine the optimal well location and development concept, maximising on development synergies with Ebok.
Ebok is an undeveloped oil field, 50 km offshore in 135 ft of water in Nigeria's prolific south eastern producing area. The field is located close to several producing NNPC / Mobil JV fields and 55 km south-east of Mobil’s onshore QIT Terminal. The field was discovered by the NNPC / Mobil JV in 1968 (M-QQ1 (Ebok-1)), and two subsequent appraisal wells were drilled in 1970 (Ebok-2 and Ebok-3). A total of 271 ft. (83m) of net oil pay was encountered in Ebok-1 in four sands between 2,600 ft (800m) and 3,600 ft (1,100m). The Ebok-4 appraisal well was drilled by the Afren – Oriental partners in November 2008 and encountered a total gross oil column of 284ft in high quality reservoir sands ranging in depth from 2,560ft to 3,718ft. Drill stem testing delivered a consolidated rate of 1,544 bopd of 20° to 25° API crude oil. Afren has a 40% working interest in the Ebok field.
