Tullow Oil’s Kasamene-1 Uganda Exploration Well Discovers Hydrocarbons

UK-based hydrocarbon exploration and production company Tullow Oil has reported that its Kasamene-1 exploration well, drilled in the Butiaba region of Uganda Block-2, has encountered over 31 meters of net oil pay and at least six meters of net gas pay.

The well was drilled approximately 1.5km from the crest of the structure to a total depth of 957m and has been successfully logged. Downhole pressure testing and sampling has confirmed the presence of dry gas and movable oil.

Reservoir quality for both zones is reported to be excellent. The most likely gas column is over 35m and the most likely oil column is over 75m. Tullow stated that further potential exists up-dip and an appraisal well will be required to test the vertical extent of the oil legs and gas cap.

The Kasamene-1 well was drilled 15km to the northwest of the Ngege-1 discovery and is the second successful test of the Victoria Nile delta play fairway within the Lake Albert Rift Basin.

The well results have confirmed the presence of a good quality reservoir and seal units within the center of the basin, and derisks several adjacent prospects in Blocks-1 and 2, that will be drilled as part of the current nine-well Butiaba drilling campaign. On completion of operations at Kasamene-1, the rig will move 10km to the east and drill the Kigogole-1 prospect starting in mid-August 2008.

Aidan Heavey, CEO of Tullow, said: “Kasamene-1 is the most important result to date in Tullow’s Butiaba drilling campaign. In addition to maintaining our 100% exploration success record in Uganda, this result indicates the potential for further significant discoveries from the Victoria Nile delta play, and is likely to represent an important element of long-term commercial planning.”