Africa-focused oil explorer Afren reported that testing has been completed at the Okoro East oil discovery, offshore south east Nigeria, and that results confirm a high quality 38 to 40-degree API oil in excellent reservoir sands.

Based on the test data the company expects future horizontal production wells at Okoro East will be capable of yielding between 4,500 to 7,000 barrels of oil per day per well. The company will drill two production wells using existing facilities in the second half of 2012 and up to eight production wells, under a full field development scenario.

Following the Okoro East exploration well discovery announced on Jan. 17 2012, three drill stem tests (DSTs) have been undertaken and completed. The purpose of the tests was to obtain fluid samples and pressure data in order to establish reservoir connectivity, heterogeneity and quantify permeability and porosity.

The tests have confirmed a high quality 38 to 40-degree API oil, multi-Darcy permeabilities and average porosity of between 30% percent and 35 percent, in the subject reservoirs. The pressure data also obtained has helped with the company's structural understanding of the field and supports the pre drill volumetric estimates (Pmean STOIIP of 157 million barrels).

Tags: Afren plc