Solo Oil provided an update on its plans for the drilling of an exploration well, Ntorya-1, in the Mtwara Block of the Ruvuma Basin PSA in Tanzania with its partners Tullow Oil and Aminex.

The company says that plans for the Ntorya-1 well have now been finalized with the all major services tendered and the Caroil-6 rig mobilization agreed to follow the current Aminex well Nyuni-2. The well will most likely be spudded in early November and is programmed to take 25 days to drill to a planned TD of 2026 meters.

Solo also announce that it has increased its stake in the Ruvuma Basin PSA from 12.5% to 18.75% in an agreement with Tullow in which Solo will assume the future obligations on the additional interest. Both Solo and Aminex have acquired additional interests in the PSA and Aminex will take over as operator from Tullow with immediate effect. Tullow will retain a 25% interest and will continue to support the joint venture with regional expertise and logistics.

The assignment is subject to final Tanzanian Government approval, which is expected to be granted shortly.

Solo Executive Director Neil Ritson commented, "The Ntorya-1 well, which is a follow up to the Likonde-1 well drilled in 2010, is an important further test of the largely unexplored onshore Ruvuma Basin. Both Solo and Aminex have a strong focus on Tanzania and by gaining a greater participation in the PSA will jointly be able to advance the work program more quickly. The long term potential is significant and we are very keen to continue the work started at Likonde as soon as possible."

Tags: Solo Oil