Senegal’s government has approved UK explorer Cairn Energy’s latest plans to carry out a 3D seismic survey and a multi-well exploration program off its shores, starting this year.
The minimum three-well campaign is targeting more than 1 billion barrels gross risked resource in two discoveries made in 4Q last year – the major SNE-1, or Shelf Edge, discovery and FAN-1 - and a number of prospects and leads. It will account for most of Cairn’s planned US$170 million exploration and appraisal spending for 2H 2015 and 1H 2016.
Cairn and its partners and now finalizing its exploration program targets for three firm appraisal and exploration wells, using the 7th generation Ocean Rig Athena drillship, under contract to partner ConocoPhillips; with plans to core and test the appraisal wells. The first well is due to be the Bellatrix prospect, with the second two appraising SNE, according to partner Far Ltd. The 2000sq km 3D seismic acquisition program over the Sangomar and Rufisque blocks is expected to start in 3Q, with drilling due to start in 4Q.
Simon Thomson, Cairn’s CEO, said: "We are delighted to have agreement from the Government of Senegal for our extensive evaluation plan which commences shortly with a 3D seismic survey and continues later this year with a multi-well exploration and appraisal program. Cairn is well placed to take advantage of this exciting opportunity as we build on the success of last year’s discoveries.”
Cairn operates three blocks offshore Senegal – Sangomar (containing SNE-1), Sangomar Deep (containing FAN-1) and Rufisque – under one license. The firm said in May that, to date, at least five prospects and eighteen leads have been identified and continue to be matured to drillable status across the three blocks. Development could be via an FPSO with subsea tie-backs. Production capacity would be around 100 MMb/d in order to accommodate future satellite tie-ins.
FAN-1 was drilled in 2014 in 1427m water depth, 100km offshore in the Sangomar Deep block. Shelf Edge, described as potentially the largest global oil find made last year, was drilled in 1100m water depth, 100km offshore, in the Sangomar Offshore block. Both were made in Albian aged sandstones. 2C resources on SNE are already estimated at 330 MMbbl. 2C resources on SNE are already estimated at 330 MMbbl.
Both wells were the first wells to be drilled offshore Senegal in more than 20 years and the first deepwater wells drilled.
Cairn is operator of the three licenses, holding 40% equity, alongside partners ConocoPhillips (35%), FAR (15%) and PETROSEN (10%).
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