Canadian Natural Resources Limited announce that the Saphir-1XB well has encountered an accumulation of light oil in the deepwater frontier exploration play in Block CI-514 offshore Cote d'Ivoire.

The well was drilled by a semi-submersible rig in a water depth of 2,300 meters and reached a total depth of 4,655 meters. The well encountered a series of thick sands of approximately 350 meters, containing a hydrocarbon column of approximately 40 meters of light oil with 34 degree API gravity.

The well was plugged and the data gathered will now be evaluated to determine the extent of the accumulation and the forward plan for appraisal.

Tags: Canadian Natural Resources Ltd