Bowleven Flows Oil at Sapele-2 Offshore Cameroon

Bowleven announced the following update on activities on block MLHP-5, Etinde Permit, offshore Cameroon.

Highlights

  • Sapele-2 testing program completed despite compromised well bore conditions and operational issues, with oil and gas produced from the Deep and Lower Omicron intervals
  • Peak flow rate of 2,738 boepd, including high quality light oil, produced by DST 2 in the Deep Omicron interval
  • Drilling results, comparisons with Sapele-1 and seismic interpretation infer a laterally extensive Deep Omicron system, allowing updates to our views of system volumetrics
  • P90 unrisked in place estimates for Sapele Deep Omicron discovery area and Mean for Deep Omicron fairway assessed by Bowleven as 87 mmboe and 477 mmboe respectively
  • Flowed gas condensate from Lower Omicron interval; operational issues curtailed testing
  • P90 unrisked in place estimates for Sapele Lower Omicron discovery area and Mean for Lower Omicron fairway assessed by Bowleven as 14 mmboe and 203 mmboe respectively
  • Further appraisal drilling will be carried out as part of the appraisal plan

Kevin Hart, Chief Executive of Bowleven plc, commented, "We are delighted to have now flowed oil on test from the Deep Omicron interval at both Sapele-1ST and Sapele-2 and to have achieved the first hydrocarbon flow from the Lower Omicron interval. Comparisons with Sapele-1 and seismic interpretation indicate that we have a laterally extensive Deep Omicron system. The Sapele discoveries provide a foundation to Bowleven's strategy of moving resources to reserves on block MLHP-5 and the preparation of an appraisal plan for the area is already underway. With extensive remaining potential yet to be targeted, Bowleven's strategy will also comprehensively embrace the exploration opportunities on the acreage and we now look forward to drilling Sapele-3."

Sapele-2 test update

The principal objective of Sapele-2 was to appraise both the Lower and Deep Omicron discoveries encountered in the Sapele-1 exploration well.

As previously announced, the Sapele-2 well encountered log evaluated net pay of approximately 19 meters and 16 meters within the Deep Omicron and Lower Omicron intervals respectively. The well was drilled to a TD of 3,749 meters in water depths of around 25 meters approximately five kilometers south west of the original Sapele-1 vertical well.

The results of the three drill stem tests (DSTs) performed at Sapele-2 are outlined below:

Deep Omicron

DST1

The basal sand situated on top of the cross-cut event, encountered at Sapele-1 and Sapele-1ST but not tested, flowed light oil on test at Sapele-2, the first hydrocarbon flow from this interval. A peak flow rate of 381 boepd, comprising 233 bopd of light oil and 0.89 mmscfd of associated gas on a 12/64 inch choke was produced. While no MDT data was acquired to confirm connectivity, all three wells have log evaluated net pay at this level and based on seismic correlation, the interval can be mapped between all three wells and over a wide area.

DST2

A peak rate of 2,738 boepd, comprising 1,818 bopd of light oil and 5.52 mmscfd of associated gas on a 32/64 inch choke was produced. Reservoir pressure was seen to re-charge over the period of the DST, inferring a wider hydraulic system. Based on initial log evaluation, lower productivity was encountered on test than anticipated, potentially due to formation damage sustained during drilling activities.

Light oil ranging from 39 to 42 degree API was produced from the two DSTs performed in the Deep Omicron interval. The Sapele-1 well had a confirmed oil pressure gradient at Deep Omicron and oil samples were obtained during logging activities. The oil quality, gas-oil ratio and pressures measured on test at Sapele-2 are comparable to the samples and pressures taken at Sapele-1. DST pressures, the log correlation between wells and seismic interpretation infer a laterally extensive Deep Omicron system. Pressure communication between Sapele-1 and Sapele-2 at an individual reservoir level cannot be confirmed given the inability to acquire MDT data due to borehole conditions.

Lower Omicron

DST3

The interval flowed gas at rates of up to 3.1 mmscfd, the first hydrocarbon flow from this interval, however testing operations were curtailed due to a pressure leak in the test string. Consequently, although liquids were present their flow rate was not recorded.

Forward plan

With the testing programme now concluded at Sapele-2, the Sapphire Driller rig is expected to move to the Sapele-3 location. A further announcement will be made on commencement of drilling operations at Sapele-3. The proposed location for Sapele-3, an exploration well with an appraisal component, has been selected, subject to attaining government approval. The well design on Sapele-3 has been optimised to take into account the pressure regimes encountered on the Block so far. Sapele-3 is targeting a prospect size of 50 million barrels. The joint venture partner, Vitol, has elected not to participate in the drilling of the Sapele-3 exploration well. Consequently Bowleven, as operator, has proposed drilling this well on a sole risk basis, as Sapele-3, which is designed to appraise the sands of the D1-R Discovery and explore the periphery of the Upper and Lower Omicron fairways, is a potentially significant well with material upside.


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