Project Profile
Location: Zone B, close proximity to the North Gabon salt basin, Sao Tome and Principe
Area: 7,940km2
Water depth: 2,500m - 3,000m
The block is situated within Zone B of the government block classification scheme, and within this group has been ranked the most attractive by Equator due to its proximity to the North Gabon salt basin and the presence of structural prospects located both on the footwall of the Ascension Fault and similar sub-parallel trends.
Within Block 12, Equator Exploration previously have licensed approximately 800 km of 2D line data on a spacing of some 11km by 40 km. The seismic data shows reasonable reflection continuity, although the line spacing in this area is much greater than in Block 5. The seven seismic mapping horizons defined in the 2012 study of Block 5 were correlated into Block 12 through the use of the regional tie lines and a number of prospects and leads have been identified. Large robust closures exist within the Block associated with the main Ascension Transform Fault zone. Middle to Late Cretaceous synrift and post rift sedimentation has resulted in numerous interesting structured prospects. Clastics in the Miocene may also provide exploration potential. Full investigation of the stratigraphic potential of the block (deepwater turbidite plays for example) requires further 2D and/or 3D seismic coverage.
Previously Oando’s subsidiary Equator Exploration had acquired ownership over the Blocks 5 and 12, respectively, but in April 2016 the operator farmed out the majority ownership in both blocks to Kosmos Energy. Kosmos now operates the Block 12, also with a 65% ownership, with Equator Exploration and ANP-STP holding 22.5 percent and 12.5 percent respectively.
Operators:
Kosmos Energy Sao Tome and Principe: Operator with 45% interest
Sao Tome and Principe\'s National Petroleum Agency (ANP-STP): 12.5% interest
Equator Exploration: 22.5% interest
Galp Energia: 20% interest