Project Profile
Location: Orange River Basin, South Africa
Area: 5,000 km2
Water depth: 250 m
Block 2B is located in the Orange River Basin, offshore shallow water area, lying between the Ibhubesi gas field and the Namaqualand coast. The block covers an area of approximately 5,000 km2 with water depths ranging from shore line to 250 metres. The main reservoir objectives are the fluvial and lacustrine sands of the AJ Graben of Lower Cretaceous age, which occur in three sequences. The A-J1 exploration well, drilled in 1989, successfully encountered oil in these sequences and tested good quality 36° API oil. Reprocessing of 2D seismic data has since defined several other Lower Cretaceous rift graben prospects, genetically analogous to the prolific Lake Albert play in Uganda.
Further prospectivity has also been identified within a fractured basement play (analogous to Yemen), which could form a secondary exploration play on the acreage.The partners include Thombo Petroleum Ltd who is the operator as well with 75% interest and Afren Plc who holds the remaining 25% interest. In consideration for the acquisition of the interest, Afren’s working interest increases to 50% and operatorship transferred to Afren upon completion of seismic acquisition programme. The partners near term work programme involves the acquisition of 600 km2 of new 3D seismic data, with reprocessing of existing 2D seismic and on-going seismic inversion and regional biostratigraphy studies ahead of expected exploration drilling in 2013 or 2014.
Operators:
Africa Energy Corp: Operator with 90% interest
Crown Energy AB: 10% interest
Contractors:
WesternGeco: 3-D seismic acquisition and processing contract