Vancouver-based Africa Oil has begun drilling operations on the Shabeel North well in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland, the second well in the current drilling campaign, the company said Tuesday.
The well is being operated by Horn Petroleum in which Africa Oil holds an interest of approximately 51%. Horn holds a 60% working interest in the Dharoor and Nugaal Valley Production Sharing Agreements along with working interest partners Range Resources (20%) and Red Emperor (20%).
The Shabeel North well, the second drilled in Somalia in more than 20 years, is targeting Upper Cretaceous Jesomma sands which had good oil and gas shows in the Shabeel well 3.5 km (2.2 miles) to the south, Africa Oil said.
Petrophysical analysis of downhole electrical logs in the Shabeel well indicated a potential pay zone of up to 12 to 20 meters with an average porosity of 18-20%.
It is planned to bring the rig back to the Shabeel location to test these sands once the drilling of the Shabeel North well is completed. The well will be drilled to depth of 2,400 meters and drilling is expected to take 45 to 60 days to complete.
"The Shabeel North well will test the same reservoirs that appear to be oil bearing in the nearby Shabeel well," Horn President and CEO David Grellman said.
"We would expect similar or better reservoir thickness and quality as we move deeper into the basin. The results of this well should help us confirm the extent of the petroleum system in the basin and, if successful, would be another step towards proving the economic potential of the basin."
