Abuja — Oriental Energy Resources and its partner, Afren Nigeria have announced a drilling update on the Ebok-5 appraisal well, and that requisite approvals have been received for the Ebok phase 1A field development plan.

Ebok-5, currently being drilled by the Transocean Adriatic IX jack up drilling unit, has encountered a total gross oil column of 266 ft in the high quality D1 and LD-1 E reservoir sands ranging in measured depth from 2,341 ft to 2,523 ft in the high quality D1 LD-1E reservoir sands ranging in measured depth from 2,341 ft. to 2,523 ft.

The companies said an extensive logging and sampling programme is ongoing, while well data analysis and dynamic reservoir simulation modelling confirms that production performance will be achieved at rates consistent with offset data from previous Ebok vvells and analogous fields in the areas that produce from the same reservoir intervals.

The partners maintained that Ebok-5 appraisal well is currently drilling below 3,350 ft. and will continue to test deeper objectives in the D2 and Qua lboe sands.

"The Phase 1a development plan comprises five horizontal oil production wells in the D2 reservoir, one horizontal oil production well targeting the D1 reservoir, and one water injection well in the central Fault Block 1 and Fault Block 2 areas of the field. All wells will be drilled from a single field location via a well-head Support Structure (WSS), and mobile offshore production unit (MOPU)."

The Company is in the process of finalising contract discussions on the production facilities. Associated gas produced will be utilised as fuel for the facilities' power generation and as gas lift, to assist well productivity.

"We are delighted with the successful results to date, of the Ebok-5 appraisal well. The progress made and seamless operational delivery during the appraisal and development planning at Ebok is a testament to the Afren and Oriental partnership's strong technical skills and understanding of Nigerian oil and gas operations.

"We thank the Department of Petroleum Resources for the Field Development Plan approval, representing an important step towards the successful delivery of one of the largest independent oil developments to date, in Nigeria."Chairman, of Oriental, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi said.