By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 19 – A group led by Vanco Energy Co., Houston, said Orca-1X-bis in western Block CI-401 off Ivory Coast confirmed the availability of an active petroleum system in the western part of the Tano-Ivoirian basin in the Gulf of Guinea.
The well, on the Orca prospect, went to a TD of 4,015 m below sea level in 1,868 m of water 55 km south of Bassam. It is being plugged and temporarily abandoned. It penetrated the targeted objectives and discovered thin sandstone reservoirs.
Vanco recovered oil samples from Campanian and Turonian sandstones during drilling. More than 3,000 sq km of 3D seismic data have been shot in blocks CI-401 and CI-101.
The group is defining a location for the first exploration well to be drilled in Block CI-101, planned in 2011. Interests in the blocks are Vanco 28.34%, OAO Lukoil 56.66%, and Ivory Coast’s state Petroci 15%.
