THE CASTANHA-1 EXPLORATION well on the Cabinda South onshore block in Angola has struck about 15 m of hydrocarbons in pre-salt sediments, according to project partner Roc Oil.
Roc said the well had been drilled to a total depth of 3400 m by operator Pluspetrol, with the potential pay being struck between depths of 2214 and 2229 m.
Wireline testing had confirmed the presence of oil, and plans were under way to run production tests.
The Coco-1 discovery well had been suspended after testing was completed, according to Roc spokesman Matthew Gerber who said that the well had failed to flow oil to surface from any of the five zones tested.
The well was deemed uncommercial when it was drilled in 2008. Production tests then were hampered by downhole conditions and the well was re-entered in November 2009 for further testing.
“The result is not unexpected,” Gerber said. He said the equipment used to flow test the well would now be moved the the Castanha-1 well for planned production testing there. The Castanha-1 well was spudded in November last year. The well is operated by Argentinian player Pluspetrol with a 45 per cent stake, while Force Petroleum and Angolan state oil company Sonangol hold 20 per cent each.
Roc unit Lacula Oil holds 10 per cent and Cuban state oil company Cuba Petroleo holds 5 per cent.