Kenya exploration and appraisal update

RNS Number : 8183C

Tullow Oil PLC

22 January 2015

 

News Release

 

Kenya exploration and appraisal update

22 January 2015 - Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) provides an update on a series of exploration and appraisal activities in onshore Kenya Blocks 10BB, 13T and 10BA.

Epir-1 exploration result

The Epir-1 exploration well is located in block 10BB in the North Kerio Basin, a separate sub-basin from that tested by the Kodos-1 well, 25 km to the southwest. Whilst not a discovery, the well encountered oil and wet gas shows over a 100 metre interval of non-reservoir quality rocks, demonstrating a working petroleum system in this lacustrine sub-basin. Further exploration activities will be considered in the North Kerio Basin following analysis and integration of the valuable data collected from the well.

The Weatherford 804 rig drilled the Epir-1 well to a final depth of 3,057 metres. The well will be plugged and abandoned, following which the rig will move to the Ekales-2 location in the South Lokichar Basin where it will conduct appraisal of the discovery made by the Ekales-1 well. The well will target reservoirs in a separate fault block to the east of the discovery well, further away from the basin bounding fault.

Engomo-1 exploration well commenced drilling

The new SMP-106 rig has commenced drilling the Engomo-1 well, the first test of the prospective North Turkana Basin in Kenya Block 10BA. This onshore prospect is to the west of Lake Turkana where numerous naturally occurring oil slicks and seeps have been observed. A result is expected during early March 2015.

Ngamia and Amosing appraisal wells

The PR Marriott 46 rig recently completed drilling the Ngamia-5, Ngamia-6 and Amosing-3 appraisal wells.  Both Ngamia wells were drilled from the Ngamia-1 discovery well pad. Ngamia-5 was drilled to a final depth of 2,317 metres and was deviated approximately 500 metres northeast of Ngamia-1, encountering between 160 to 200 metres of net oil pay. Ngamia-6 was drilled to a final depth of 2,480 metres and was deviated approximately 800 metres north of Ngamia-1, encountering up to 135 metres of net oil pay. Both wells have been suspended and remain available for use in an Extended Well Test programme that will commence in the second quarter 2015.

The Amosing-3 well in Block 10BB continued the successful appraisal of the Amosing oil field. The well was drilled approximately 1 km northwest of the Amosing-1 discovery well and successfully encountered over 107 metres of net oil pay in good quality reservoir sands. The well reached a final depth of 2,403 metres and has been suspended for use in future appraisal and development activities. The PR Marriott 46 rig will now be moved to continue the appraisal of the Ngamia field, drilling the Ngamia-7 well to test the field's eastern flank.

South Lokichar Basin 3D seismic

Acquisition of the large 951 sq km 3D seismic survey has completed over the series of significant oil discoveries in the western basin bounding fault play of the South Lokichar Basin. The fast-track processed data is already being used in the south of the basin whilst the remainder of the survey will be available for seismic interpretation by the end of the first quarter 2015. Initial evaluation of the 3D seismic data indicates significantly improved structural and stratigraphic definition and additional prospectivity not evident on the previous 2D seismic data.  In addition, the partnership has acquired over 1,100 metres of core samples from the South Lokichar Basin wells and an extensive programme of detailed core analysis is ongoing that will provide results from the first quarter 2015 onwards, to measure oil saturation and assess recovery factors of the reservoir sands.

Tullow Operates Blocks 10BB, 13T and 10BA with 50% equity and is partnered by Africa Oil Corporation, also with 50%.

Commenting today, Angus McCoss, Exploration Director, said:

"The Epir-1 wildcat well proved the existence of a working oil system in the North Kerio Basin, encouraging us to consider further exploration activities. The Ekales-2 exploratory appraisal well is a bold step-out away from the South Lokichar Basin bounding fault with follow up potential. Continued success in the appraisal of the Ngamia and Amosing oil fields is highly encouraging as we continue with development studies for the South Lokichar Basin."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

Citigate Dewe Rogerson (London) ([phone]) Martin Jackson Shabnam Bashir

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

NOTES TO EDITORS

Tullow Oil plc

Tullow is a leading independent oil & gas, exploration and production group, quoted on the London, Irish and Ghanaian stock exchanges (symbol: TLW) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The Group has interests in over 130 exploration and production licences across 22 countries which are managed as three regional business units: West & North Africa, South & East Africa and Europe, South America and Asia.

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