Eco Atlantic begins Gazania-1 exploration drilling offshore South Africa

Eco Atlantic has started operations on the Gazania-1 exploration well following arrival of the Island Innovator semisubmersible drilling rig on Block 2B offshore South Africa.

Eco is drilling 25 km offshore the Northern Cape in Orange Basin South Africa in about 150 m of water. Gazania-1 is being drilled to a depth of 2,800 m through a multizone pay section and up dip of the AJ-1 discovery well on the block, which proved about 50 million bbl of contingent resources, the company said in a release Oct. 4.

The Gazania-1 prospect is targeting over 300 million bbl of light oil. Pending discovery in the vertical section, the joint venture partners have the option to directionally drill a second sidetrack well from the main well bore. Both the vertical well and the sidetrack optional well will be logged and then plugged back to surface, the well will be sealed, plugged and the casing cut off below surface. No equipment will remain on the sea floor.

Eco Atlantic is operator at Block 2B with 50% interest. Partners are Africa Energy Corp. (27.5%), Panoro 2B Ltd., a subsidiary of Panoro Energy ASA (12.5%), and Crown Energy AB (10%).