Has completed drilling work at the onshore Ntorya-1 discovery in Tanzania’s Ruvuma Basin and is now planning to test the well. In February, Aminex reported that a gas discovery had been made in a 25 metre gross Cretaceous sandstone interval between 2,660 metres and 2,685 metres at Ntorya-1. The interval will now be tested to establish the level of production that can be obtained. The Caroil-6 rig has been released from the well and will be demobilized to make way for the rigless testing equipment that has been mobilised and is due to arrive on-site in the coming weeks. A production string has been run in the well, and a Christmas tree installed in preparation for the planned test sequence.
Circle Oil;
The international oil and gas exploration, development and production company, announced an update regarding the Al Amir SE Field (“AASE”) and the Geyad field. Copies of which can be viewed by clicking the link. http://www.circleoil.net/3May2012.aspx
Cove Energy;
Announced its operator-partner Anadarko Petroleum has published the results of a second flow test of the Barquentine-1 well at the northern end of the Prosperidade gas complex in the Rovuma Basin Area 1 block, offshore Mozambique.
Empyrean Energy;
As the company noted the unconditional offer made for Eureka Energy by Aurora Oil & Gas valuing Eureka at A$107 million. Aurora launched an on market takeover offer for Eureka today at A$0.45 per share valuing Eureka at A$107 million. Both Aurora and Eureka are partners with Empyrean in the Sugarloaf Project in Texas, USA. Commenting, Empyrean CEO Tom Kelly said “The offer by Aurora for Eureka indicates that there is strong interest in Eagle Ford Shale assets in Texas.” The board of Eureka have recommended that shareholders reject the offer as they believe it undervalues the company.
Gulf Keystone Petroleum;
Provided an update on its ongoing exploration and appraisal programme in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which includes the Shaikan block, a major discovery with independently audited gross oil-in-place volumes of between 8 billion barrels to 13.4 billion barrels calculated on the P90 to P10 basis, with a mean value of 10.5 billion barrels.
Leni Gas & Oil;
Has granted the preferred bidder for its Spanish assets exclusivity until 31 May 2012 to complete definitive documentation. In March, Leni said it had received a number of strong expressions of interest from international oil companies to purchase the assets. In today’s update, it said that due diligence was now well advanced and the parties had held preliminary discussions on the structure of the deal, details of which are expected to be concluded in the coming week. Final agreement is expected to be concluded in May, although Leni stressed that this could not be guaranteed.
Max Petroleum;
Released a drilling update and a production update this week. Much to long to be included in the round-up. However Members can read both by clicking the link. http://www.maxpetroleum.com/
Range Resources;
Released a quarterly report for the period ending 31 March 2012. Copies of the report can be read by clicking this link. http://www.rangeresources.com.au/
Sefton Resources;
Will flow first gas this summer through its pipeline infrastructure in Kansas. The news comes as Sefton reported a rise in oil production in California and that it had parted company with its chief financial officer. Sefton said the LAGGS sales line has been completed and that 40-50 oil & gas wellbores for the recompletion program has been leased or were in the process of being leased or being acquired. Discussions are understood to be continuing with potential suppliers of third-party gas.
Serica Energy;
Reported that the Polarcus Nadia, a 10-streamer seismic vessel under contract with Polarcus Seismic, has arrived on station at Serica’s Luderitz Basin blocks, located offshore Namibia. The vessel arrived in Namibia after a 3,150 mile mobilisation from Tanzania and is preparing to deploy streamers for an extensive 3D seismic survey in the south-eastern portion of Serica’s blocks, including 2512A, 2513A, 2513B and 2612A. The area to be surveyed, amounting to up to 4,150 sq km, comprises one of the largest 3D seismic surveys to be undertaken offshore Namibia. The survey is planned to take three months to complete and is aimed at achieving three objectives including a full delineation of a large four-way dip closed structure which underlies the survey area.
Trap Oil;
The oil and gas exploration and appraisal company working in the North Sea, said this week that production had started at its Lybster field situated on Block 11/24 – 3v2, which is operated by Caithness Oil Ltd.
Valiant Petroleum;
And its partners on the Orchid exploration prospect in the North Sea, have plugged and abandoned the well following mixed results from drilling operations. Valiant has a 30% interest in Orchid, which lies in Block 29/1c and was drilled to a total depth of 9,333 feet. The well encountered a Chalk zone of over 280 feet which exhibited oil shows throughout and higher-than-anticipated porosities. The shallower, secondary Tertiary target sands were not present in the well location. Today the company announced that the WilHunter semi-submersible drilling rig has arrived on location to drill the Timon prospect (Valiant, 10%) located in the UK Northern North Sea in Blocks 211/11b and 211/16b. The well is anticipated to spud within the next few days and take around 40 days to complete. Timon is an Upper Jurassic channelized sand play similar to the Cladhan and Tybalt discoveries also located in the UK Northern North Sea. Gross best estimate prospective resources are estimated by Valiant to be 30 million barrels of oil equivalent (net 3 mmboe).
Silvermere Energy;
Provided the following update on preparations for production from the I-1 well in its Mustang Island 818-L Field. This is based on information provided by the Operator, Dominion Production Company. Following some weather-related delays to lifting operations, load out of the tripod and pilings onto the barge on location at Laredo’s yard in Galveston was completed on 23 April 2012. On 28 April 2012 while the lift-boat was en route to Galveston to take on supplies before heading on to Corpus Christi to commence the Mustang Island 818 pile-driving, it struck an unmarked and unreported obstruction which created a three-foot hole in its hull. The vessel took on large amounts of water and was completely without engine power as a result. The vessel was towed to Cameron, Louisiana for inspection and the incident, due to its nature, is now the subject of a coastguard investigation. No-one incurred any injuries as a result of the incident. Based on the damage incurred it is believed by Laredo that the lift-boat will be out of commission for at least two months. Laredo, who are contracted by Dominion, are currently attempting to source an alternative lift-boat and an update on progress will be provided as soon as possible. Andy Morrison, Chief Executive of Silvermere Energy PLC, said, “This delay to the preparation for production is unfortunate and frustrating, but it does not present additional liabilities to the Company. The lift-boat was not at the time of the incident on contract to Dominion.”