Eric Hathorn, exploration director, Cairn Energy, told delegates at Africa Oil Week that Senegal is making progress towards first oil by 2021-2023 with up to 1bn barrels of recoverable hydrocarbons
"Senegal has moved from being a frontier basin to an emerging basin with a clear path to commerciality," Mr Hathorn said, adding that the development of the country's oil sector "will benefit the people in Senegal."
He said that Cairn has an office in Dakar, a supply base at Dakar Port, and that the company is developing local capacity through training and education, English language classes for improved communication across the industry, supporting investment with local communities and using local businesses.
Mr Hathorn reported that 2017 has been a very successful year for Cairn in Senegal with no lost time incidents from five wells drilled, operations at 20 per cent under budget, and no oil released into the sea during extensive well testing. The SNE field is now in the development phase with the FAN South-1 well showing 31° API light oil and gas condensate at SNE North-1. The Sangomar field is a target for future appraisal and Rufisique will require standalone development.
The FID target is end-2018 and evaluation reports will need to be submitted for Senegalese government appraisal.
