NNPC, Total Discover Additional Oil

FRENCH oil giant, Total, yesterday said its Nigerian subsidiary, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, (TEPNG) in a joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has discovered additional oil accumulation in its offshore mining license (OML-102).A statement issued in Port Harcourt by its External Communications Manager, Mr. Charles Ebereonwu, said the latest discovery followed the drilling and testing result of a recent well drilled to penetrate the northern panel of the previously drilled Etisong Main Pool.The statement explained that the well was drilled by 80m of water depth to a total depth of 2387m by the Sea Oritsetimeyin jack up rig.The statement reads in part: 'The well encountered three main hydrocarbon bearing intervals and confirms the extension of the reservoir sands discovered previously in the Etisong Main structure by Etisong-l well, drilled in the last quarter of 2008 some 4km to the south.'The extension of the reservoir to the northern panel of Etisong Main is a significant exploration result, as it increases significantly the potential of the Etisong Pool.'One of the three penetrated reservoirs was tested and produced at about 8,500 barrels of oil per day through a 60164' choke. Oil quantities of about 40 API are very similar to those of Etisong-l well'Total disclosed that plans are underway to drill another exploration well in the area within the 2011 window to confirm expectation of good oil and gas potential in the South-Eastern sector of OML-l02.Total said to further enhance its exploration initiatives, it is striving to sustain production from all its Joint Venture blocks both on land (OML-58) and in the offshore fields (OMLs 99,102 and 100), adding that other exploration initiatives are in progress in the deep offshore licenses of NNPC/TEPNG Joint Venture.'In these regards, several production optimisation projects, such as field upgrades and in-fill drilling initiatives are in progress, gas production from the fields is valorised through supply to NLNG in Bonny,' it added.Also to meet a production start-up target by 2014, Total disclosed that development activities and studies on a third deep-offshore field (EGINA) within the OML-130 area are fully in progress.'All these projects are being carried out with utmost consideration to industrial safety and with full adherence to Nigerian content initiatives. NNPC/TEPNG is committed to improving the local competenciesas far as development of oil and gas is concerned in Nigeria,' the company assured.
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