Drilling Update

RNS Number : 3457X

Tullow Oil PLC

24 June 2008

 



Tullow Oil plc

Successful Ngege-1 exploration well in Block 2 Uganda

24 June 2008 - Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) announces further success in Uganda's Lake Albert Rift Basin with the Ngege-1 exploration well encountering both oil and gas. The well is the second in a continuous exploration campaign in the Butiaba region of Blocks 1 and 2.

Ngege-1 encountered over five metres of net oil pay and nine metres of net gas pay in separate sands and was drilled to a total depth of 640 metres. The well was drilled some three kilometres from the crest of the structure and seismic interpretation indicates further significant potential updip. 

Downhole pressure testing and sampling have confirmed the presence of dry gas and moveable 30-32˚ API oil. Reservoir quality for both zones is excellent. Logging has been successfully completed and the well has been suspended as a potential future producer. 

Ngege-1 is located 41 kilometres north-east of the Taitai-1 discovery well and tested the Victoria Nile Delta play in a new fairway along the axis of the Lake Albert Rift Basin. Results have confirmed the presence of well developed reservoir and seals, and thereby upgrade several other prospects which are included in the current drilling campaign. 

The Karuka-1 prospect, which lies 24 kilometres south of Ngege-1, is the next drilling location and operations are expected to commence at the end of June. Karuka-1 is an escarpment fan prospect analogous to the Taitai-1 discovery.

There are no plans to test Ngege-1 at this time, the best candidates for testing and appraisal drilling will be assessed on overall merit at the end of the regional drilling campaign.

Commenting today, Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive of Tullow said: 

'We are very pleased with the efficient progress we are making with the Butiaba campaign in Uganda. This is the eleventh well in the basin to encounter hydrocarbons and has extended the range over which oil has been discovered to 150 kilometres.  With Ngege-1 opening up a new deltaic play fairway with high quality reservoir we are very encouraged by the potential of this progamme in the north of Block 2 '.

For further information contact: 

Tullow Oil plc  ([phone]) Aidan Heavey Angus McCoss Chris Perry

Citigate Dewe Rogerson  ([phone])  Martin Jackson George Cazenove

Murray Consultants  ([phone])  Joe Murray Joe Heron

Notes to Editors

Tullow is a leading independent oil & gas, exploration and production group, quoted on the London and Irish Stock Exchanges (symbol: TLW) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The Group has interests in over 100 exploration and production licences across 23 countries and focuses on four core areas: Europe, Africa, South Asia and South America.

Tullow's European interests are primarily focused on gas in the UK Southern North Sea where it has significant interests in the Caister-Murdoch System and the Thames-Hewett areas and operates over 70% of its production. The company also has interests offshore the Netherlands and Portugal.

In Africa, Tullow has exploration and production in Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea and two large appraisal and development programmes in Ghana and Uganda. Tullow also has exploration interests in Mauritania, Senegal, Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Madagascar, Namibia and Angola.

In South Asia, Tullow has exploration and production in Pakistan and Bangladesh and high impact exploration activities in India.

In South America Tullow has high impact exploration interests in Trinidad and Tobago, French Guiana and Suriname.

For further information please refer to our website at www.tullowoil.com   

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