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Addax plans six on stream by end of 2010

Addax plans to bring six developments on stream in Nigeria between now and 2010, writes Iain Esau.

In OML 123, two new projects are getting under way at Antan and Kita Marine.

Chief operating officer Jim Pearce said a field development plan for Antan has been approved, with Nigerian contractor Netco now carrying out front-end engineering and design work.

A field development plan is being completed for Kita Marine after which this project will, enter its pre-FEED phase.

Both fields are due on line in 2010 are are likely to be platform-based projects.

OML 123 is also hosting two extension projects, one at Oron Southwest three wells are due on line shortly and another at Adanga North Horst.

The jack-ups Tommy Craighead and High Island 1X will be used to carry out drilling activities in this asset. In OML 137, Addax plans to develop its oil reserves first at Ofrima North, followed by condensate and gas.

On the exploration front, according to exploration boss Jeff Schull, six prospects are targeted between now and 2010 in OML 123 each with an unrisked average size of between 15 million and 35 million barrels of oil.

The targets are Adanga North Graben , Oron East, Oron South, Efiat, Inagha West, Ukpan B and Imin. In onshore OML 124, wells are planned on the larger Okaka, Jam Jam and Mmeri prospects, the largest of which could hold up to 45 million barrels of oil.

Nkoro and Atuma in OML 137 are among the prospects to be targeted by exploration wells drilled by the Scarabeo 3 semisub.

In OPL 291, Addax has signed a letter of intent with PGS to kick off 3D seismic work in November.

Aban Abraham will drill a prospect in this asset although it will first drill a few wells on Block 4 of the Nigeria-Sao Tome Joint Development Zone.

Schull said Addax is also trying to drill its deep-water wells earlier and is close to signing a deal for a rig of opportunity, believed to be a drillship.

However, Schull said the rig's crew were uneasy about working in Nigeria and Addax officials had been due to visit them to ease their fears but the trip was cancelled due to Hurricane Ike. On the seismic front, 3D shoots are planned for OPL 227 and OML 126 next year.

In the Gryphon Marine licence off Gabon, Schull said an appraisal well is planned on the Pompano oil discovery.

Meanwhile, if exploration wells prove successful on two Ajumba prospects these could be tied back to Vaalco Energy's Etame floating production vessel in the Etame Marine block, in which Addax has a stake.

http://www.upstreamonline.com/hardcopy/news/article163871.ece