Even though the Canje block’s wildcat – Bulletwood-1 – did not result in a commercial discovery, ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC are still laser-focused on their exploration and appraisal work which will continue on the prolific Stabroek Block. Just recently, Hess Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Greg Hill revealed that ExxonMobil, Operator of the offshore concession, will be spudding Koebi-1 in 30 days followed by Whiptail in May.
During his recent participation in the Credit Suisse 26th Annual Energy Summit that was held virtually, Hill said that Whiptail is “a very large structure” and depending on its success, the partners will determine the next order for exploration wells.
The COO said that appraisals are also part of the 12 to 15 wells planned for the Stabroek Block too. In this regard, he noted that these will really fill out the mosaic of potential in the block while adding that it would be done with the objective of getting deeper penetrations in the Santonian play. Hill said this will allow for a better understanding of the reservoirs since that geological layer is 3000 feet deeper than the Campanian.
“So far, we had four penetrations in the Santonian, and all have been good quality oil and reservoirs. Now we need actual rock data and physical data to be able to fine-tune the seismic further and better tease out where the oil is,” the COO stated. He was keen to note that appraisals which are planned for Uaru, Mako, and Longtail which will happen between now and May will help to underpin future development beyond Yellowtail.
The Yellowtail area contains oily fluids similar to those of the Liza discovery which Exxon made back in 2015. The company has also been looking to conduct additional tests in the area to get more production information about the quality of the reservoirs found there. A development plan is expected to be submitted for this area by year-end.
