Equator to Use Bulford Dolphin on OML 122 Offshore Nigeria

Equator Exploration

Equator Exploration and its Nigerian partner, Peak Petroleum Industries Nigeria Limited have signed a formal contract with Dolphin Drilling to take five well slots for the Bulford Dolphin semisub. The Maersk Advancer, an offshore tug boat, has been commissioned by Equator and Peak from Maersk Supply Service to commence the towing of the Bulford Dolphin from the Gulf of Mexico to Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The Maersk Advancer arrived in Mexico today and the rig should embark for Nigeria this week.

It is anticipated that the Bulford Dolphin will be on location in Nigeria by the end of November 2005, with the commencement of drilling an appraisal well on the Bilabri discovery in OML 122 soon after.

OML 122 is located between 25-60 km offshore in water depths of 100 -200 meters and covers an area of 1,295 sq. km on the Western Niger Delta, east of Shell's giant Bonga Field (estimated 1.4 billion barrels) on OML 118 and South West of Shell's EA Field on OML 79.

After the Balabri appraisal well an exploration well will be drilled at the Owanare prospect, located in a water depth of 122 meters. Owanare is covered by the 3D seismic data acquired in 1999, which indicates significant hydrocarbon potential. Commenting on the signing of the contract with Dolphin Drilling, Wade Cherwayko, CEO of Equator Exploration, said:

'This is a significant milestone for Equator, considering the extreme difficulty of securing a rig in the current market. Now that we have contracted the Dolphin rig, it will allow us to add value by proving up reserves through exploration, appraisal, and development of our identified fields and firm prospects on block OML 122.'