Project Profile
Value: $400 Million
Startup Year: 2017
Water Depth: 1,874m
Location: Cape Three Points Deepwater block
Vanco Ghana Ltd. signed a Petroleum Agreement covering the Cape Three Points Deep Water block with the Ghanaian authorities in August 2002, as part of a strategy to explore the Tano Basin along the transform margin of Africa where the presence of active petroleum systems enhances the potential for deepwater oil and gas discoveries.
Later in 2002, Vanco Ghana conducted a 3,323 line kilometer 2D seismic program to further evaluate the block. The new data revealed the presence of a previously unknown large compressional folds and structures. An extensive 1,500 square kilometer 3D seismic program was then conducted in 2005 to further define the structural and stratigraphic prospects in the block.
The 2007 Mahogany discovery, now known as the Jubilee Field, located only 50 miles from the Cape Three Points Deep Water block, is estimated to hold up to 1.8 billion barrels of recoverable oil. The discovery has triggered extensive exploration activity in the region, including several wells planned by Vanco Ghana and other operators in the emerging transform margin play.
LUKOIL Overseas Holding Ghana Ltd. joined Vanco Ghana and GNPC (the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation) in the project in 2007. Subsequently a new Petroleum Agreement covering the Cape Three Points Deep Water block was ratified by Parliament on 30 June 2009, triggering a five-year period of intense exploration activity in the block.
The Dzata-1 well was drilled to evaluate an anticline which exhibits a dramatic \"gas cloud\" and other direct hydrocarbon indicators. Completed in February 2010, the well discovered a gross hydrocarbon column of 94 meters containing 25 meters of net hydrocarbon pay in stacked reservoir sandstones of Albian age. Fluid samples recovered at the surface indicate that the pay interval consists of a volatile black oil bearing zone below a gas-condensate bearing zone. An Appraisal Plan is currently being developed for submittal to the Minister of Energy.
Fugro was contracted to acquire a 3D seismic program covering 1,664 square kilometers in the block. The survey was completed in March 2010.
The Dzata-1 well is the deepest water exploration well drilled to date in Ghanaian Tano Basin. The well has been plugged and temporarily abandoned.
Operators:
Vanco Ghana Ltd.: Operator with 28.34% Interest
LUKOIL Overseas Ghana Limited: 56.66% Interest
Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC): 15% Interest
Contractors:
Fugro: Seismic program
Ocean Rig: OceanRig Olympia - drilling contractor