Tullow Oil reports successful first flow test of Ngamia-1 well in Kenya

15th Apr 2013 07:30

FTSE 100-listed Tullow Oil has reported a successful first flow at its Ngamia-1 well in Kenya and hydrocarbon indications at the Sabisa-1 well in Ethiopia.In an operational update issued on Monday morning, the independent oil and gas exploration company reported that the first of six drill stem tests had been completed at the Ngamia-1 well in Block 10BB in Kenya.The group said that the well flowed 281 barrels of 30 degree API oil per day using a progressive cavity pump. Other tests would be carried out in the Auwerwer reservoirs - formerly Upper Lokhone - which produced very well in the recent tests at the Twiga South-1 well, the group further reported.Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, Tullow said that its Sabisa-1 well had encountered hydrocarbons requiring logging and further evaluation. Hydrocarbon indications in sands beneath a thick claystone top seal had been recorded whilst drilling, but hole instability issues required the drilling of a sidetrack to comprehensively log and sample the zones of interest, the group reported. Angus McCoss, Exploration Director of Tullow Oil, commented: "The Sabisa-1 well has proved to be technically challenging, as is often the case in frontier basins, and the well now requires a side-track to redrill, log and sample the objective section. Nevertheless, we are encouraged by the hydrocarbon indications which provide emerging evidence for a working petroleum system in the previously undrilled South Omo Basin."MF