The data was acquired by Fugro Geoteam, using the seismic vessel GeoBarents, and the survey was conducted over a total area of 1,236sq km covering the Alpha, Beta and three other prospects.
A recent competent persons report (CPR) prepared by Energy Resource Consultants on the Alpha prospect confirmed a mean prospective resource of 1.1bbbl as the oil case and 7tcf as the gas case.
The data will now be processed by CGG Veritas, and will be completed by the second quarter of 2011, and a ‘Fast Track’ processed volume will be ready later this week.
The long offset, 7km streamer, data will support amplitude variations with offset (AVO) studies, and these studies on the existing 2D data have helped de-risk Alpha and Beta already, Dominion said.
The company said that the final results of the 3D and subsequent analyses will help it re-assess volumes and improve chances of success not only for the Alpha prospect but for all prospects mapped within, and immediately adjacent to, the survey area.
Dominion also notes that last month the first deep-water discovery in Tanzania, the Pweza-1 well, was drilled south of Block 7 and has proven a working hydrocarbon system in the deep-water of Tanzania.
This first discovery confirms Dominion’s belief that offshore Tanzania is highly prospective and provides further confidence in its exploration efforts on Block 7.
Dominion CEO Andrew Cochran said that the recent discovery in Tanzania is very significant and justifies the increased levels of interest shown by major industry players in deepwater East Africa.
