Eni has made an oil and gas discovery on the Nene Marine exploration prospect, in the Marine XII Block offshore Congo about 17km offshore.
Eni says two wells were drilled on Nene Marine and estimates it contains about 600 million bbls of oil and 700 billion cu ft of gas in place, with "considerable additional upside".
The first well, Nene Marine 1, was drilled in 24m deep water and encountered a significant wet gas and light oil accumulation in the pre-saline clastic sequence of Lower Cretaceous age.
Nene Marine 2 was drilled 2km from the discovery well and confirmed the hydrocarbon accumulation and the continuity of the reservoir. Production tests on both wells flowed at a commercial rates with oil at 37° API gravity.
Eni said it will continue the appraisal phase of the discovery, while starting studies for its commercial exploitation with partners.
Eni is operator of Marine XII block with a 65% stake. Other partners are New Age, with a 25% stake, and state company SNPC (Societé Nationale des Pétroles du Congo), with 10%.