Africa Oil Corp. has commenced drilling operations at the Shabeel North well in Puntland, Somalia, the second well in the current drilling campaign. The well is being operated by Horn Petroleum Corp. (Horn) in which Africa Oil holds an interest of approximately 51 percent. Horn holds a 60% working interest in the Dharoor and Nugaal Valley Production Sharing Agreements (PSA's) along with working interest partners Range Resources (20%) and Red Emperor (20%).

The Shabeel North well is targeting Upper Cretaceous Jesomma sands which had good oil and gas shows in the Shabeel well 2.17 miles (3.5 kilometers) to the south. Petrophysical analysis of downhole electrical logs in the Shabeel well indicated a potential pay zone in the Jesomma of up to 39 to 66 feet (12 to 20 meters) with an average porosity of 18 to 20 percent. It is planned to bring the rig back to the Shabeel location to test these sands to confirm their ability to flow oil once the drilling of the Shabeel North well is completed. The planned TD of the Shabeel North well is 7,874 feet (2,400 meters) and drilling is expected to take 45 to 60 days to complete.

Tags: Africa Oil Corp.