LatAmOil: ExxonMobil’s third disappointment at Canje block

Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil (US), has reportedly completed its third exploration well at the Canje block offshore Guyana without discovering commercial hydrocarbon reserves.

According to JHI Associates, a non-operating partner in the Canje project, the Sapote-1 well was drilled in 2,549-metre-deep water and sunk to a total depth of 6,758 metres. The Canadian company noted last week that Sapote-1 did not encounter any crude oil or natural gas within its primary exploration target but did encounter some hydrocarbon shows while carrying out drilling and logging activities in a deeper section of the well.

JHI Associates described these shows as non-commercial but also pointed out that this was the first time hydrocarbons had been found within Canje’s deeper layers. This offers reason for optimism, as it may indicate that the block has more exploration potential, the company said.

EEPGL is due to launch a 12-well drilling programme at Canje next year.