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Tullow Oil plc announces the successful drilling and testing of the Mputa-3 appraisal well in Uganda’s Block 2 which the Group operates with a 100% interest. The well was drilled to a total depth of 973m and encountered hydrocarbons in three separate zones. One zone was tested and produced at an average rate of 1,986 barrels of oil per day. Pressure and sampling data from the other two zones indicates that all three zones could flow at a combined rate in excess of 4,000 barrels of oil per day.
Mputa-3, the second of three wells in the Kaiso-Tonya area appraisal programme, was drilled 1.5km southeast of the 2006 discovery well. The primary objectives of the well were firstly to confirm the presence of oil at this location to underpin the reserves and field development plan and secondly to confirm the lateral extent and quality of the reservoir sands to verify the geological model.
The well intersected three oil bearing zones with total net pay of 19.5m, the best result to date in the Kaiso-Tonya area. The first two zones, 4.5m and 5.0m, were encountered at 803m and 837m respectively. These zones were not production tested but pressure testing and sampling indicated moveable oil with very good permeabilities. The third zone, a 10m sandstone at 867m, was production tested for two days at an average rate of 1,986 barrels of 33? API oil per day through a ¾ inch choke. Pressure data acquired during the test confirmed that the sands are extensive with a permeability in excess of 1 Darcy.
The well is now being suspended as a future producer. On completion the rig will move to the Mputa-4 location, 1.2km north-east. Mputa-3 is an important component of the overall appraisal programme and has provided key information for understanding ultimate reserve potential and for development planning. Data from this well will be integrated with the results from the upcoming Mputa-4 well and the 3D seismic which is to be acquired by year-end.
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