Ophir/BG JV Resume Block 1 Drilling

Ophir Energy and BG have resumed drilling operations offshore Tanzania.  The multi-well program commenced with drilling on the Jodari field on Block 1. This program is an appraisal and satellite exploration effort focused around the Jodari.

The first three wells in this campaign will be the Jodari South-1, Jodari North-1, and a re-entry into Jodari-1. The current drilling program will focus on further defining the resource potential of the Jodari discovery and will further serve to confirm its role as an anchor asset for the Tanzanian LNG development.

In March, the Jodari-1 discovery well proved 4.5 Tcf of gas in place in the Lower Tertiary intraslope channel play. To date the Ophir-BG JV has discovered 13.5-21 Tcf of gas-in-place across Blocks 1, 3, and 4.

The DeepSeaMetro 1 has now returned to Block 1 and will drill the top-hole section of Jodari North-1 before moving to drill Jodari South-1 and a side track from Jodari South into the main Jodari field. The rig will then return to complete Jodari North-1. A DST will be performed in Q1 2013.

Combined, these three wells will confirm reservoir parameters across the Oligocene-aged main reservoir of the Jodari complex. In addition, fluid samples will be collected and the dynamic reservoir properties will be tested through a DST in Jodari-1. This information will aid LNG development planning

Nick Cooper, CEO of Ophir, said: “The next phase of drilling is required to confirm the role of the Jodari field as an anchor asset to support the Tanzania’s first multi-train LNG development. To date the Ophir-BG Joint Venture has discovered 13.5-21 Tcf of gas-in-place across Blocks 1, 3 and 4 and we are looking forward to receiving further insight into the full scope of resources on these blocks. After these next three wells we will return to drilling high impact exploration prospects, both on the significant prospect inventory on the established intraslope play and, potentially, also on the recently identified Basin Floor Fan play.”