Eni has reported gas and condensates discovery in the Nkala Marine exploration prospect located in Marine XII block off the coast of Congo.
The prospect is located about 20km from the coast and 3km from the Nene Marine field, which is under production phase.
The gas has been discovered at the Nkala Marine 1 well, which was drilled to a water depth of 38m. The well provided over 300,000 standard cubic meters per day (sm3d) of gas and associated condensates during production test.
Eni identified major gas and condensates buildup in the pre-salt clastic geological sequence of lower Cretaceous age, crossing a 240m hydrocarbon column.
The company estimates the Nkala Marine 1 well to comprise 250-350 million barrels of oil equivalent in place.
The Nkala Marine prospect is planned to be assessed through new delineation wells.
In the interim, Eni and its partners are also planning to commence studies for the commercial development of the prospect.
According to the Italian giant’s estimates, the resources in place of oil and gas discoveries made in the pre-salt Marine XII block are about 5.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent (bboe).
The block production commenced in December 2014 and is currently averaging 15,000 boe/d.
Eni, through its subsidiary Eni Congo, operates the Marine XII block with 65% stake while other partner include New Age with 25% stake, and the Congolese state company Societé Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) with 10% interest.
Eni is involved in exploration and production projects in Angola, Congo, Ghana, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Ivory Coast and South Africa.
Image: The Nkala Marine 1 well is estimated to have 250-350 million barrels of oil equivalent in place. Photo: courtesy of suwatpo/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.