East Africa exploration and appraisal update

RNS Number : 3434Y

Tullow Oil PLC

21 February 2013

 



News Release

East Africa exploration and appraisal update

21 February 2013 - Tullow Oil plc ("Tullow") announces the successful completion of the flow tests at Twiga South-1 with a constrained combined rate of 2,812 bopd from three reservoir zones. Unconstrained, the combined rate has the potential to flow at around 5,200 bopd. In Uganda, the Ondyek-1 exploration well did not encounter hydrocarbons.

Twiga South-1 flow test - Kenya

The testing program at the Twiga South-1 oil discovery has now been successfully completed with a cumulative flow rate of 2,812 bopd, constrained by surface equipment. Tullow previously stated that Drill Stem Tests ("DST") 3 and 4A flowed at a cumulative rate of 2,351 bopd and can now announce that the fifth and final DST flowed at a rate of 461 bopd. With optimised equipment these flow rates would increase to a cumulative rate of around 5,200 bopd. 37 degree API waxy sweet crude was flowed from all three zones in the Auwerwer formation with good quality reservoir sands encountered and the well has been suspended as a potential future production well. As with DST 4A, a Progressive Cavity Pump (PCP) was used to artificially lift at DST 5, whilst DST 3 flowed naturally. Two additional zones were tested in the tight reservoir rock at the base of the well and, as anticipated, both produced at sub-commercial rates but confirmed the presence of movable oil.

These results provide encouragement for the forthcoming testing program at Ngamia-1A, Block 10BB, where four zones are planned to be tested using the Weatherford 804 rig. Testing activities are expected to commence in March and complete by the end of May.

Tullow has a 50% operated interest in the Twiga South-1 well, Block 13T, with Africa Oil holding the remaining 50% interest.

Ondyek-1 exploration well - Uganda

Exploration drilling has continued in the Total operated EA-1A block to the north of Lake Albert with the Ondyek-1 exploration well, located 16km North West of the Nigiri-1 oil discovery. The well, designed to test the boundary limits of the EA-1A Block, was drilled to a total depth of 1,462 metres. The well did not encounter hydrocarbons and has been plugged and abandoned. Further evaluation is being carried out on the Lyec-1 discovery and partners are re-evaluating the remaining exploration potential of the area in light of recent well results.

Tullow has a 33.33% non-operated interest in EA-1A with Total (operator) and CNOOC each holding a 33.33% interest.

Angus McCoss, Exploration Director of Tullow Oil plc, commented today,  

"While it is still early days for our exploration campaign in Kenya, these flow tests results at Twiga South-1 are an important step on the way towards understanding the commercial potential of the two discoveries we have made so far. The Ondyek-1 well in Uganda did not encounter hydrocarbons but has contributed much to our understanding of the limits of the EA-1A block."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tullow Oil plc (London) ([phone]) James Arnold (Investor Relations) George Cazenove (Media Relations)

Citigate Dewe Rogerson (London) ([phone]) Martin Jackson Jack Rich

Murray Consultants (Dublin) ([phone]) Joe Murray Joe Heron

Notes to Editors

Tullow Oil

Tullow is a leading independent oil & gas, exploration and production group, quoted on the London, Irish and Ghanaian (symbol: TLW) stock exchanges and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The Group has interests in over 100 exploration and production licences across 24 countries and focuses on four core areas: Africa, Europe, South Asia and South America.

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

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