FAR Ltd., Perth, reported the spudding of its much-anticipated Samo-1 wildcat well on Block A2 offshore Gambia. It is the first well to be drilled in the country’s offshore region for 40 years.
The well is being drilled by Stena Drilling’s Stena Drillmax harsh-environment dynamically positioned DP Class 3 drillship in 1,000 m of water and has a planned total depth of 3,100 m on the crest of the Samo structure.
FAR said the prospect has two main reservoir targets and has potential to contain a combined prospective resource of 825 million bbl of oil.
Good quality reservoirs have been interpreted from earlier acquired 3D seismic data at both targets.
FAR has 40% interest and is operator. Other interests are held by Malaysia’s Petronas, 40%, and the government of Gambia, 20%.
Petronas will earn its 40% in return for funding 80% of the exploration well costs up to a maximum of $45 million.
