Gabon: Second dry well for Ophir

Ophir Energy has drilled a second unsuccessful well in its four-well exploration programme offshore Gabon. The Affanga Deep-1 well in the Gnondo Block was drilled using the Vantage Titanium Explorer drillship to a depth of 4,240 metres, targeting a number of reservoir intervals of Turonian and Cenomanian age. Ophir said the well encountered thinner-than-expected sandstone sections with poor reservoir characteristics. Gas and indications of liquids were encountered, but no significant hydrocarbon shows, though cuttings confirmed the presence of a Cenomanian oil-prone source rock, which may have positive implications for the wider Ogooué Delta outboard play and for the deep-water play to the west of the well location.