Russian explorer Lukoil has struck oil at its first appraisal well on the Independence field, offshore Côte dIvoire, in the Turonian strata
According to Rig Zone, the field which was discovered in December 2011, is located on Block CI-401 in the Gulf of Guinea, the company said.
Lukoil holds a 56.66 per cent stake in Blocks CI-101 and CI-401.
Lukoil said the data from the well, which was drilled to a depth of more than 4,499 metres by the semisub rig Eirik Raude, is currently being processed to evaluate the potential resources within the field.
This work will be used to make a final decision on further field appraisal.
The next phase of the drilling programme offshore will be the spudding of an exploration well in Block CI-101, Lukoil said.
