North Tchibala 2-H, the second development well drilled by VAALCO Energy in the North Tchibala Field offshore Gabon, was brought online at a stabilized rate of about 500 gross barrels of oil per day (bbl/d), or 122 bbl/d net revenue interest to VAALCO, the company said in a news release.

The well was drilled to a measured depth of 16,476 ft and encountered good quality sands in the Dentale D-18/19 reservoir, according to the release. The well came on production flowing naturally with no hydrogen sulfide and was water free. Based on production tests in nearby exploration wells, the quality of the reservoir would indicate the potential for a higher flow rate than has been achieved so far.

VAALCO said it is gathering diagnostic data to assess the productive capacity of the North Tchibala 2-H well and to determine whether here is remedial work that might increase the flow rate from the well.

While the Dentale Formation is productive in onshore Gabon fields, the North Tchibala field represents the first Dentale production developed in the offshore waters of Gabon, the release said.

The first North Tchibala producer, North Tchibala 1-H, targeted the shallower Dentale D-9 Formation at about 11,200 ft measured depth and was placed on production during third-quarter 2015. The North Tchibala 1-H well initially produced at a sustained rate of 3,000 bbl/d flowing naturally for six weeks with minimal pressure depletion.

In late October, the company said it observed a decline in bottom-hole pressure accompanied by an increase in gas production rates. The well was choked back to about 1,500 bbl/d and bottom-hole pressure has now stabilized, the release said. Production continues to remain at that level, which is still at initial expectations for the well. VAALCO said it will continue to monitor both Dentale wells and take appropriate actions to optimize long-term production and reservoir performance.

The North Tchibala 2-H is the third well drilled and placed on production at VAALCO’s new Southeast Etame/North Tchibala (SEENT) platform located in about 260 feet of water offshore Gabon, the release said. VAALCO is the operator of the Etame Marin permit area and owns a 28.1% working interest and a 24.4% net revenue interest. The Transocean Constellation II jackup rig has mobilized to the nearby Avouma/South Tchibala platform to conduct workover operations to replace electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) on three existing production wells, two of which are off production. Sea conditions have improved allowing the safe movement of the rig.

Offshore