Ntorya-1 Well in Tanzania Encounters Only Minor Gas Shows

The well was spud on Dec. 22 2011 and is now at a depth of 8,200 feet (2,500 meters). Aminex, the operator (with a 56.25 percent stake in the well), had been expecting sandstone reservoirs at depths between (1,800 and 1,900 meters) but these were not encountered before 2,300 meters) and only minor gas shows were observed.

 

Wireline logs and a seismic check-shot survey are now being recorded in order to evaluate the section already drilled and to determine if additional drilling is worthwhile, according to both firms.

 

The Ntorya-1 well is designed to test the high quality Basal Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous sands previously encountered in the Likonde-1 well, 7 miles (14 kilometers) to the north. 

 

"Ntorya is only the second recent well in the onshore portion of the Ruvuma basin in Tanzania and we are clearly still establishing the accurate correlation between the seismic and well stratigraphy," said Solo Executive Director Neil Ritson. "Additional evaluation of these well results will I am sure be key in helping to unlock the potential for the Tertiary and Cretaceous hydrocarbon plays within the [production sharing agreement]."

 

Solo holds an 18.75-percent interest in the Ntorya well.