Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NBL) announced today an oil discovery on Block “O” at the Carmen prospect, offshore Equatorial Guinea. The Carmen well, which represents the Company’s first oil discovery on Block “O”, encountered approximately 26 feet of net oil pay, along with 13 feet of net gas pay. Located in approximately 150 feet of water, the well was drilled to a total depth of 11,550 feet to test a lower Miocene reservoir. The well has been temporarily abandoned pending future development considerations. There are no plans to flow test the reservoir at the current time.
”The Government of Equatorial Guinea is extremely pleased that another oil discovery has been made within the Equatorial Guinea part of the Douala Basin. The Government of Equatorial Guinea will continue to aggressively develop the discovered oil and gas resources within its territory for the benefit of the people of Equatorial Guinea, whilst maintaining a stable and consistent investment policy.”
Noble Energy is the Technical Operator of Block “O” with a 45 percent participating interest. Its partners on the block include GEPetrol, the national oil company of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea with a 30 percent participating interest and Glencore Exploration Ltd. with a 25 percent participating interest.