The Ebok field handed over to Oriental Energy Resources Limited in 2007, has discovered a new oil well. The company disclosed this in a statement and described the discovery as a major booster to Nigeria’s oil production.
The indigenous exploration company said the discovery was made in two deep prospects that were identified during extensive subsurface studies in its offshore Ebok field. The Ebok Filed was first discovered by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited in 1968.
The well has been renamed Ebok-45. It was previously called EDN-1 before the drilling. Oriental Energy Resources Limited came in possession of the Ebok field after acquisition from Mobil. It is located in Oil Mining Lease 67 approximately 55 kilometres from Akwa Ibom.
According to a report, drilling on the field began in the first quarter of 2019 on the North Fault Block of the Ebok field. The drilling started as an assessment to test the hydrocarbon potential of the deeper stratigraphic levels in the Ebok field. It was drilled in water depth of 145 feet and reached a total measured depth of 9,167 feet.
It was disclosed that 170 feet of gross oil pay were uncovered in two reservoirs with further upside, while wireline logging combined with pressure and sampling confirmed excellent reservoir and fluid characteristics from both horizons.
Speaking on the oil discovery, the Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources, Muhammadu Indimi, said: “I am extremely pleased with the results of the appraisal well and I am looking forward to the early development of this new discovery.”
Also speaking on behalf of the company, the Managing Director, Ignatius Ifedayo, added: “We are delighted to report the successful appraisal drilling programme in Ebok Deep and it serves as a great boost to Oriental Energy’s vision to grow its reserves base and production in Nigeria.
“This is also in line with the nation’s quest to increase its reserves base. This is the first significant new oil discovery by Oriental Energy Resources inside its existing development area.
“With its three assets – Ebok, Okwok and OML 115, the indigenous exploration and production company is working to maintain production through strategic reservoir and wells management, optimisation of topsides as well as development of new reserves.”
Why this matters: Oriental Energy revealed that its production had risen to 35,000 barrels of oil per day. This new oil location will, therefore, increase Nigeria’s output among oil producing countries globally.