--> ABSTRACT: Deepwater Angola: Block 15/06. Technology and Ideas to Turn a Risky Challenge in an Exploration Success Case, by Mantovani, Marco; Barbieri Arnaldi, Paolo; Brajucha, Riccardo; Lottaroli, Fabio; Nolli, Vilia; Spadini, Giacomo; #90135 (2011)

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Deepwater Angola: Block 15/06. Technology and Ideas to Turn a Risky Challenge in an Exploration Success Case

Mantovani, Marco 1; Barbieri Arnaldi, Paolo 1; Brajucha, Riccardo 1; Lottaroli, Fabio 1; Nolli, Vilia 1; Spadini, Giacomo 2
(1)Eni E&P, San Donato Milanese, Italy. (2) Eni Angola, Luanda, Angola.

Turbidite channels and associated levees and lobes in the Tertiary succession of the Angolan continental slope have been the target of successful deepwater exploration since early ‘90s, establishing several world-class development projects. Block15 played a leading role in this “golden age” of offshore exploration in Angola. Exxon and Partners (Eni, BP, Statoil) proved more than 3 Bbbl of oil reserves with 19 NFW and 8 appraisals (1997-2003). The Kizomba Development growth to more than 550 Kboe/d production in 3 years is evidence of the unique prolific nature of these reservoirs. Eni took the challenge of creating value from an area extensively explored and that already delivered so much by leading the Contractor Group that took over the portion of B15 relinquished by Exxon, now B15/06, with a heavy work commitment (8 wells, 3D seismic).

B15/06 was awarded in December 2006. The commitment of the 1st exploration period has been completed 18 months before expiry: out of the 8 NFW drilled so far, 7 resulted commercial discoveries, 2 appraisals have been drilled and about 2 Bbbl OOIP, expected to deliver 700 MBbl resources, have been confirmed. Two development Hubs have been delineated so far: the W-Hub, expected to be sanctioned in Q1 2011, has a first oil in early 2013 and a peak production of 100 Kboe/d. In the E-Hub the first oil is expected by early 2014. The 7th discovery, Mpungi, in the North of the Block, provides additional resources to the development options.

In the W-Hub (Sangos, Cinguvu, Ngoma, Nzanza) the track opened by B15 activity has been followed, enhancing the imaging of the Lower Miocene deepwater slope channels. Use of innovative technologies, largely in-house developed and proprietary, coupled with and aggressive exploration campaign continuously focused to meet time-to-market objective are the ingredients of the success.

In the E-Hub, the Cabaca N and Cabaca SE discoveries get high significance with about 400 Mbo resources proven in by-pass systems of the Upper Slope. The reservoir potential in the area has been upgraded based on Eni original re-evaluation, exploring deeper and beyond the classical DHI indications.

Oligocene deep systems remain largely untested in the area and still represent an exploration frontier only marginally investigated by Omocola-1 well in the South of the block. Further potential is estimated in a large number of prospects that will be addressed by the activity already planned for the 2nd exploration period.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90135©2011 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Milan, Italy, 23-26 October 2011.