Houston’s Cobalt International Energy, Inc. reported that its Lontra #1 presalt discovery well in Block 20, offshore Angola, found more oil and gas than estimated.
Drill stem test placed Lontra’s well production at a stabilized flow rate of 2,500 bbls of condensate and 39 million cu ft per day of gas. The well was drilled to a total depth of 4,195m (13,763ft). The discovery well encountered both a high liquids content gas interval and an oil interval.
Cobalt also has working interest (40%) in the neighboring Block 21 and the nearby Block 9. Drilling is underway in Block 21.
“While further appraisal drilling will be required to determine the ultimate size of the Lontra field, it is clear that Lontra is a discovery on a global scale,” said Joseph H. Bryant, Cobalt’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The exceptional reservoir system that we have discovered ranks among the best that we have seen. Although the field contains more gas than our pre-drill estimates, it is beneficial that Lontra is offshore near Luanda, where we believe there is a potentially large emerging market for gas.”
Bryant said that Cobalt and partners BP and Sonangol have started discussions with Angola’s Concessionaire “regarding the simultaneous commercialization of both the liquids and the gas discovered in Lontra for the benefit of both Angola and the contractor group.”
James Farnsworth, Cobalt’s chief exploration officer, called the results “exceptional,” saying that the data collected suggests that “the well’s deliverability far exceeds the drill stem test flow rates.”
The company said that test flow rates were restricted by the surface test facilities on the SSV Catarina drilling rig.
Cobalt has drilled three exploration wells in the Kwanza presalt basin and has netted three discoveries.
Following the temporary abandonment of the Lontra #1 well, Cobalt has mobilized the Petroserv SSV Catarina rig to drill the Orca #1 Pre-salt exploratory well (formerly the Baleia Prospect), located approximately 15m (25km) northeast of Lontra in Block 20. Cobalt, as operator, owns a 40 percent working interest in both Lontra and Orca.
Cobalt’s partners in Block 20 are BP and Sonangol P&P, each with a 30% working interest.
Image of the Petroserv SSV Catarina courtesy Cobalt.
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