Atum another Hit for Anadarko

The Atum exploration well off the coast of Mozambique on Offshore Area 1 in the Rovuma Basin was a hit for Anadarko Petroleum and partners. The well discovered another significant natural gas accumulation, encountering more than 300 net ft of natural gas pay in two high-quality Oligocene fan systems.

Anadarko said that the preliminary data indicates the discovery is connected to the recent Golfinho discovery made in May.  

The Atum was drilled to a total depth of about 12,665 ft in water depths of approximately 3,285 ft. Once operations are complete at Atum, the partnership plans to commence appraisal activities that are expected to be followed by a drillstem testing program in the Golfinho and Atum complex.

“The combined success at Atum and Golfinho and apparent connectivity of these Oligocene fan systems, indicate these discoveries represent our partnership's second major natural gas complex offshore Mozambique,” said Sr. VP, Worldwide Exploration Bob Daniels. “We estimate this new complex, which is located entirely within the Offshore Area 1 block, holds 10 to 30-plus trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of incremental recoverable natural gas resources. We plan to immediately commence a four-well appraisal program of this complex, which has the potential to underpin a large LNG development.”

“With this latest discovery at Atum and a successful upcoming appraisal program, we believe the total estimated recoverable natural gas resource in Mozambique's Offshore Area 1 is between 30 and 60 Tcf, and the current upside for total gas in place for the discovered reservoirs on the block is approaching 100 Tcf. We still have additional exploration opportunities that could expand the resource potential further,” said Anadarko president and CEO Al Walker. “A recoverable resource base of this scale supports our initial two-train development plans, as well as significant future expansions. Our current activity is focused on achieving reserve certification and a Final Investment Decision in 2013, as the partnership works toward expected first sales of LNG in 2018.”

Anadarko is the operator in the Offshore Area 1 with a 36.5% working interest. Co-owners include Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area 1, BPRL Ventures Mozambique, Videocon Mozambique Rovuma 1, and Cove Energy Mozambique Rovuma Offshore. Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos is carried through the exploration phase.