Anadarko reported that its Barquentine-2 appraisal well, located in Mozambique's Offshore Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin, encountered more than 230 net feet (70 meters) of natural gas pay in high-quality Oligocene-age reservoirs. Barquentine-2 was the first appraisal well in the Windjammer, Barquentine and Lagosta complex, which is estimated to hold a minimum of 6 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable natural gas resources.

"Our first appraisal of the Barquentine discovery matched our expectations, confirming our seismic modeling and providing confidence in our geologic interpretation of this world-class accumulation," Anadarko Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Exploration Bob Daniels said. "We've also taken a major step toward the development of these substantial resources by awarding contracts for pre-FEED (front-end engineering and design) work for a prospective LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant. We have significant ongoing exploration and appraisal programs in the Rovuma Basin and look forward to advancing this important project that can provide long-term benefits for the people of Mozambique."

The Barquentine-2 appraisal well was drilled to a total depth of approximately 13,500 feet (4,100 meters) in approximately 5,400 feet (1,650 meters) of water using drillship Belford Dolphin. The results of the Barquentine-2 appraisal well, which is located approximately 2 miles (3 km) east-southeast of the Barquentine-1 discovery well, also indicated that the Oligocene reservoirs are in static pressure communication between the wells. The drillship is now being mobilized to the south to drill the Camarão exploration well, which also will serve as an appraisal to the Windjammer discovery.

As mentioned, a subsidiary of Anadarko and co-owners in the Offshore Area 1 awarded contracts to KBR and Technip to perform pre-FEED studies for an LNG plant in Mozambique. The pre-FEED studies are designed to help the partnership further assess the viability of developing an LNG facility to produce and process natural gas from the region.

Anadarko is the operator of the 2.6-million-acre Offshore Area 1 with a 36.5-percent working interest. Co-owners in the area include Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area 1, Limited (20 percent), BPRL Ventures Mozambique B.V. (10 percent), Videocon Mozambique Rovuma 1 Limited (10 percent) and Cove Energy Mozambique Rovuma Offshore, Ltd. (8.5 percent). Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, E.P.'s 15-percent interest is carried through the exploration phase.

Tags: Anadarko Petroleum Corporation