Tullow P&A’ing wildcat offshore Suriname

The Noble Bob Douglas drillship has drilled the Araku-1 exploration well offshore Suriname to a total depth of 2,685 metres (8,809 feet) for operator Tullow Oil Plc.

The company said that no significant reservoir quality rocks were encountered although logging and sampling proved the presence of gas/condensate. The well is now being P&A’d.

The Araku well was drilled in block 54 in water depths of about 1,000 metres (3,281 feet). Tullow Oil operates block 54 with a 30% interest alongside joint venture partners, Statoil (50% interest) and Noble Energy (20% interest).

Angus McCoss, exploration director, said: “The Araku-1 well was an ambitious wildcat exploration well which was drilled efficiently and at very low cost. While we have not made a commercial discovery, we are encouraged by recovering gas condensate from the well and remain fully committed to exploration in Suriname and Guyana.

“Tullow continues to pursue the considerable prospectivity and potential of this large licence and the wider region. We will now consider our next steps with our joint venture partners.”