TotalEnergies, Apache report another discovery at Block 58

TotalEnergies (France) and Apache (US) have made their fifth discovery at Block 58 offshore Suriname.

The partners announced the find last week, saying in separate statements that they had found crude oil in Sapakara South-1, an appraisal well drilled in 850-metre-deep water at a site 4 km to the south-east of the Sapakara West-1 discovery. The new well encountered 30 metres of net pay in a single zone of high-quality Campano Maastrichtian reservoirs, they said.

Apache and TotalEnergies have not commented on the likely size of the discovery. They have indicated, though, that they will continue using the Maersk Valiant drillship to finish drilling Sapakara South-1. Once the well is completed, the drillship will move about 45 km to the north to drill the Bonboni-1 exploration well at another section of Block 58.

Later this year the Maersk Valiant will return to Sapakara South-1 for flow tests. This is because “the primary objective of the first phase of the appraisal drilling programme is to deliver a fast-track, black oil development,” Apache commented.

The companies have already discovered oil in the Maka Central-1, Sapakara West-1, Kwaskwasi-1 and Keskesi-1 exploration wells. Apache noted last week that an appraisal well drilled at Kwaskwasi had encountered “two thin intervals of black oil above water in the Campano-Maastrichtian [layers],” but it stressed that these reservoirs were “separate and unrelated” to those found at Sapakara South-1.

Kevin McLachlan, senior vice-president for exploration at TotalEnergies, expressed satisfaction with the latest discovery at Block 58. “We are pleased by this new successful well at Sapakara South-1, very similar to the one announced in Keskesi earlier this year. These repeated positive results confirm our strategy, which targets large resource volumes at low development costs,” he said. “As the operator of the prolific Block 58, this encourages us to continue our effort, jointly with our partner, to add to the resource base while conducting the appraisal operations designed to prove a commercial oil development.”

John J. Christmann IV, the president and CEO of Apache’s parent organisation APA Corp., also struck a positive note. “We are very encouraged by the initial appraisal, having confirmed 30 metres of a single, blocky sand that is full to base with black oil. These are the characteristics necessary to accelerate development in this area of Block 58, which has high prospect density,” he commented. “We are excited to explore the northern portion of the block at Bonboni and look forward to continuing our appraisal programme, including a flow test of Sapakara South-1 before year-end.”

Equity in Block 58 is split 50:50 between TotalEnergies and Apache. The French major is serving as operator of the project.