ExxonMobil strikes oil offshore Angola

ExxonMobil and partners have made a discovery at the Bavuca Sul-1 exploration well in offshore Block 15 in Angola, the national hydrocarbons regulator National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency announced on Monday.

The find located around 365 kilometres northwest of Luanda was drilled at water depths of 1,100 metres by the Valaris DS-9 drillship.

Estimates of discovered resources were not disclosed.

ExxonMobil’s latest drilling programme on the concession aims to up production by 40,000 bopd.

A total of 17 finds have been made on Block 15, including the Hungo, Kissanje, Marimba and Dikanza plays in 1998, Rattle and Xikomba finds in 1999, Mondo, Saxi and Batuque discoveries in 2000, Mbulumbumba, Vicango and Mavacola finds in 2001, the Reco-Reco play in 2002 and Clochas, Kakocha, Tchihumba and Bavuca finds in 2003.

ExxonMobil operates the block with a 36% stake. The company is partnered with BP with a 24% share, Eni with an 18% share, Equinor with a 12% share and <a href=’https://theenergyyear.com/companies-institutions/sonangol/’>Sonangol with the remaining 10% share.