Black Marlin Energy Limited, subsidiary East African Exploration Limited (EAX) and partners Avana Petroleum, have commenced their second seismic survey on their acreage in the Seychelles using Seabird Exploration’s vessel, “Geomariner”. The original 3650 km 2D survey, acquired in 2007 using an 8000m cable, identified an extensive and deep sedimentary section between and around the granitic islands. The granitic features are linked to those that underpin the massive Bombay High field and flank the prolific Cambay basin on the west coast of the Indian subcontinent.
The new 1100 km 2D survey is designed to better image the potential reservoirs in the numerous tilted fault blocks to better delineate the leads mapped in the southern third of tranche A. It will complete the group’s seismic commitment under the first exploration period of the Petroleum Agreement (PA). The 15,000 sq km PA acreage was awarded in November 2008 after the group reviewed 43,000 sq km and selected optimal locations for more detailed study.
The survey area includes some very large structures in both shallow and deep water targets and is close to the wells drilled by Amoco in 1980/81. The wells had significant oil shows which correlate well to the tar balls occasionally found on Seychelles beaches suggesting an active, indigenous hydrocarbon system.
