StatoilHydro: Oil discovery off the coast of Angola

Published 2008-05-06, 10:03 CET

Yesterday, 5 May, the block 15/06 partnership announced the first oil discovery in this deepwater block off the coast of Angola. StatoilHydro has a 5% share in the block.

The discovery well, Sangos-1, which was drilled in 1,349 metres of water to a total vertical depth of 3,343 metres, encountered an oil column of 127 metres in high permeability Miocene sands. The well tested for high quality oil in excess of 30 ºAPI gravity and at higher than forecasted rates.

The field resources and the preliminary results exceed pre-drilling expectations and form the basis for the commencement of specialist geologic and engineering studies, which will be used in connection with finalisation of development of the field.

The Sangos Discovery is the first exploration well to be drilled in block 15/06. The well, which is located about 350 kilometres from Luanda, will soon be followed by other exploration wells in nearby structures with significant potential with the aim of achieving synergic development of the western area of the block.

Block 15/06 is situated within the Lower Congo Basin, off the coast of Angola. It covers approximately 2,984 square kilometres in water depths ranging between 300 and 1,600 metres.

The partners in Block 15/06 are: Eni Angola S.p.A. (operator) (35%), Sonangol Pesquisa e Produção, SA (concessionaire) (15%), SSI Fifteen Limited (20%), TEPA (Block15/06) Total (15%), Falcon Oil Holding Angola SA (5%), Petrobras International Braspetro B.V. (5%) and Statoil Angola Block 15/06 Award AS (5%).

StatoilHydro