Africa Energy Corp has announced that the joint venture partnership for Block 11B/12B offshore South Africa has entered into a multi-well drilling contract with Odfjell Drilling for the Deepsea Stavanger semisubmersible rig
Garrett Soden, Africa Energy’s president and CEO, said, “We are very pleased that Total was able to secure the Deepsea Stavanger rig again for the next phase of drilling on Block 11B/12B offshore South Africa.”
“Using the same equipment and crew that drilled the Brulpadda oil and gas discovery earlier this year should save time and reduce cost. We look forward to starting the multi-well drilling programme with the spud of the Luiperd Prospect in Q1-2020,” he added.
Block 11B/12B is located 175 km off South Africa’s southern coast in the Outeniqua Basin. The block covers an area of 19,000 sq km with water depths ranging from 200 to 1,800 m. The Paddavissie Fairway in the block’s southwest corner includes the Brulpadda discovery and several prospects for submarine fans.
The oil and gas company stated that the success at both the Brulpadda primary and secondary targets significantly de-risks the other similar prospects identified on 2D seismic. The joint venture partnership for Block 11B/12B recently completed the first phase of the 3D seismic acquisition programme over the Paddavissie Fairway.
The Brulpadda well results will be integrated with the 3D seismic data in advance of next year’s drilling programme, which will include up to three exploration wells.
Qatar Petroleum and Canadian Natural Resources Limited own 25-per cent and 20-per cent stakes, respectively. Main Street 1549 Proprietary Limited, 49-percent owned by Africa Energy, holds a 10-per cent interest in the block.
