Ophir Energy has said the Mlinzi Mbali-1 well offshore Tanzania has not found commercial hydrocarbons, but will offer "crucial information" about Block 7, off the east African coast.
The well was the first well drilled on Block 7. It was drilled using the Deepsea Metro drillship in about 2600m water depth, about 210km east of capital Dar es Salaam, was the deepest stratigraphic test offshore Tanzania, said CEO Nick Cooper.
Mlinzi Mbali-1 targeted a structural crest within a Lower Cretaceous channel complex, with secondary targets in the Upper Cretaceous and the Jurassic. The Cretaceous targets were intersected and are interpreted to be water-bearing.
The Deepsea Metro I will now be released to BG Group to drill an exploration well offshore Kenya. It will then return to Tanzania, where wells are planned on Block 1, and on Ophir’s operated East Pande Block, during the H1 2014.
Block 7
Block 7 is in 400-2600m water depths. Ophir acquired its 80% operated interest in Block 7 in February 2012, through the acquisition of Dominion Petroleum. Dominion had signed a production sharing agreement with the Government of Tanzania in March 2007, taking a 100% interest in the block, before farming down a 20% interest to Mubadala Petroleum in late 2011.
Dominion completed a 3D seismic survey in 2010. Further 2D and 3D surveys were acquired by Ophir in 2012. A number of prospects have been matured, including the Mlinzi channel complex, in the east of the block.
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