Sahara Group has discovered commercial hydrocarbon in all three onshore oilwells drilled at Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 274 in the Edo State block, Nigeria, where the company holds 100 per cent working interest
The Nigerian company said that its affiliate Enageed Resources Limited recently completed the drilling of the third well, part of a three-well onshore drilling programme, in the block and has demobilised drilling rig — HPEB-187.
Oluegi-1 was drilled to a total depth of 4,537 metres measured depth with a horizontal displacement of 2.7km north of the well head and encountered five hydrocarbon zones, totaling 33 metres of net pay. Enageed Resources Limited also drilled two successful appraisal wells — Oki-Oziengbe South 4 and 5, the company added.
The Oki-Oziengbe South 4 drilled directionally to a total depth at 3,816 metres measured depth 1.1km southwest from the well head, logging 64.3 metres of net pay in 13 hydrocarbon bearing zones, seven of which were new. The well flowed 43-44° API oil to surface on two tests at rates of 2,400 and 3,200 bpd, with no water, on a one-half inch choke. Oki-Oziengbe South 5 also drilled directionally, to total depth at 3,923 metres measured depth 1km south of the well head. It logged 91 metres of net pay in 19 reservoirs, 15 of which were oil-bearing and seven new.
Sahara Group’s successful drilling programme followed a two year-long, two-phase, land-swamp 3D seismic survey in the 871 sq km license, according to the company.
Curtis Cohen, Sahara Group’s Upstream COO, said, “Our OPL 274 exploration programme realised a number of firsts for Sahara Group. We shot our first onshore 3D seismic, drilled and operated our first onshore wells, made our first oil discovery and first appraisal, and tested first oil at rates in excess of 5,600 bpd. We drilled the three wells back-to-back in just ten months, from a common location and a minimal environmental footprint, and all three wells found commercial hydrocarbons.”
Sahara Group now plans tie-ups with existing facilities to begin first oil production. Four flow lines from Oki-Oziengbe South 4 and 5 well heads will take crude to the Oziengbe South flow station for crude processing. When completed and flowing, oil from Oziengbe S will join Nigerian Petroleum Development Company’s (NPDC) six-inch pipelines at Oredo and Ogharefe, where it will enter the Forcados trunk line.
Tonye Cole, CEO of Sahara Group, said, “This marks an historic occasion for Sahara Group, for its upstream division and for the nation. Success was achieved in doubling our certified 2P reserves in the Oki-Oziengbe South oilfield and making a new commercial discovery with the Oluegi-1 exploration well.
“More importantly, this was realised by an indigenous Nigerian independent. This is particularly satisfying because as we look ahead, we have a healthy prospect inventory in OPL 274 and several other promising blocks elsewhere in Nigeria and in our growing African opportunity portfolio. This portends well, with years of future drilling activity ahead and sustained growth for Sahara Group’s upstream.”