Tullow Oil Plc announced in a press release that the Tultule-1 wildcat well in the South Omo block onshore Ethiopia has reached a total depth of 2,101 m (6,893 ft) and will be plugged and abandoned as a dry hole.

The well was targeting a reservoir section similar to the sands drilled in the nearby Sabisa-1 well where oil shows were encountered, but these sands were not penetrated in Tultule-1. Gas shows were, however, recorded that reaffirm the presence of a hydrocarbon source in the region. The results of both the Sabisa-1 and the Tultule-1 wells will now be analyzed to determine the future exploration campaign for the area, according to the release.

The OGEC rig will now move to the Chew Bahir basin in Ethiopia to drill the Shimela prospect in the eastern portion of the South Omo block where new seismic has delineated a number of exciting new prospects, some of which have encouraging seismic amplitude anomalies. The well is expected to spud at the end of 1Q 2014, according to the release.

Tullow is the operator of the Tultule-1 well with a 50% interest along with partners Africa Oil (30%) and Marathon (20%).

In Kenya, significant exploration activity continues in Block 10BB with the Amosing-1 well currently drilling and the Ewoi-1 well expected to spud by year-end 2013, Tullow said. Following the discoveries made at Etuko-1 and Ekales-1, preparations are under way to flow test the wells with results expected early in 1Q 2014.