Ophir Energy finds gas at Taachui well offshore Tanzania

UK-based Ophir Energy has revealed results from its Taachui-1 and subsequent Taachui-1 ST1 well in Block 1, Tanzania, resulting in a new gas discovery with a net pay of 155m.

The company said the Taachui-1 well was drilled by the Deepsea Metro I drillship close to the western boundary of Block 1.

The Taachui-1 well was drilled down to 4,215m and gas was found in a 289m single column.

Ophir Energy said the well is estimated to contain one trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas and the discovery may extend into a second compartment to the west that could be of a similar size; an appraisal well would be required to confirm the theory.

Drill-stem testing of Taachui-1 will now be carried out and the results are anticipated before the end of June 2014.

Ophir Energy holds 20% of blocks 1, 3 and 4 at the Taachui wellm, and BG Group operates with 60%.

Ophir Energy CEO Nick Cooper said: "The Taachui-1 discovery continues the 100% drilling success rate on Blocks 1, 3 and 4 and adds further resource to support the LNG development in Tanzania.

"The result is important to Ophir for two reasons: firstly, it extends the proven hydrocarbon system to the eastern limit of, and partly de-risks, Ophir’s East Pande permit, on which the Tende-1 well will be drilled later in 2014.

"Secondly, the aggregate recoverable volumes of c.16.7 TCF are now approaching the threshold needed to underpin a potential third LNG Train from Blocks 1, 3 and 4."

Ophir Energy has oil and gas projects in eight different African countries.