Statoil makes 8th hit off Tanzania

Statoil hit big at its eighth discovery offshore Tanzania at the Mdalasini-1 exploration well, with an additional 1-1.8 Tcf of natural gas.

Map of Block 2. From Statoil.
 

Mdalasini-1 is located at 2296m water depth at the southernmost edge of Block 2.

The discovery of an additional 1.0-1.8 Tcf of natural gas in Tertiary and Cretaceous sandstones in place at Mdalasini-1, brings the total of in-place volumes up to approximately 22 Tcf in Block 2 for the Norwegian giant and its partners.

The well marks the completion of the first phase of the Tanzanian multi-well program.

“Since the start of the program in February 2012, we have drilled 13 wells and made eight discoveries, including Mdalasini-1,” says Nick Maden, Statoil senior VP exploration activities in the Western Hemisphere.  “We still see prospectivity in the area, but after appraising the Tangawizi-1 high-impact discovery, which was made in March 2013, there will be a pause in the drilling to evaluate the next steps and to mature new prospects.”

Statoil drilled the Mdalasini-1 well with a 100% working interest.

Statoil and joint venture partner ExxonMobil made seven discoveries in Block 2, including the five high-impact gas discoveries Zafarani-1, Lavani-1, Tangawizi-1, Mronge-1 and Piri-1, as well as the discoveries in Lavani-2 and Gilligiliani-1.

The seventh and latest discovery before Mdalasini-1 was the Giligiliani-1 that contains about 1.2 Tcf of natural gas in place in Upper Cretaceous sandstones. Giligiliani-1 is located along the western side of Block 2 at 2500m water depth.

The Mronge-1 discovery made in December 2013, was touted as the year’s top gas discovery in OE’s biggest oil and gas discoveries list. The JV’s fifth discovery in Block 2 contained 2-3 Tcf of natural gas by Statoil’s estimations. Gas was discovered at two separate levels.

The Zafarani-1 discovery, made in 2012, was a play opener for the Block.

Statoil operates the license on Block 2 on behalf of Tanzania Petroleum Development Corp. (TPDC) and has a 65% working interest. ExxonMobil E&P Tanzania holds the remaining 35%. TPDC has the right to a 10% working interest in case of a development phase.

Read more:

Seventh Tanzanian gas find for Statoil

The biggest oil and gas discoveries

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