23rd Aug 2007 07:00
Tullow Oil PLC23 August 2007 Successful test of Mputa-3 appraisal well, Uganda 23 August 2007 - Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) announces the successful drilling andtesting of the Mputa-3 appraisal well in Uganda's Block 2 which the Groupoperates with a 100% interest. The well was drilled to a total depth of 973m andencountered hydrocarbons in three separate zones. One zone was tested andproduced at an average rate of 1,986 barrels of oil per day. Pressure andsampling data from the other two zones indicates that all three zones could flowat a combined rate in excess of 4,000 barrels of oil per day. Mputa-3, the second of three wells in the Kaiso-Tonya area appraisal programme,was drilled 1.5km southeast of the 2006 discovery well. The primary objectivesof the well were firstly to confirm the presence of oil at this location tounderpin the reserves and field development plan and secondly to confirm thelateral extent and quality of the reservoir sands to verify the geologicalmodel. The well intersected three oil bearing zones with total net pay of 19.5m, thebest result to date in the Kaiso-Tonya area. The first two zones, 4.5m and 5.0m,were encountered at 803m and 837m respectively. These zones were not productiontested but pressure testing and sampling indicated moveable oil with very goodpermeabilities. The third zone, a 10m sandstone at 867m, was production testedfor two days at an average rate of 1,986 barrels of 33(o) API oil per daythrough a 3/4 inch choke. Pressure data acquired during the test confirmed thatthe sands are extensive with a permeability in excess of 1 Darcy. The well is now being suspended as a future producer. On completion the rig willmove to the Mputa-4 location, 1.2km north-east. Mputa-3 is an importantcomponent of the overall appraisal programme and has provided key informationfor understanding ultimate reserve potential and for development planning. Datafrom this well will be integrated with the results from the upcoming Mputa-4well and the 3D seismic which is to be acquired by year-end. Commenting today, Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive of Tullow said: "We are very pleased to have continued our sequence of successful drilling inUganda having encountered producible hydrocarbons in all seven of the wellsdrilled to date. The Mputa-3 well has exceeded our pre-drill expectations interms of sand development and production performance and has also providedimportant regional geological information. The appraisal programme isprogressing well and remains on schedule to sanction the Early Production Systemin the fourth quarter this year." For further information contact: Tullow Oil plc Citigate Dewe Rogerson Murray Consultants(+44 20 8996 1000) (+44 20 7638 9571) (+353 1 498 0300)Tom Hickey Martin Jackson Joe MurrayAngus McCoss Kate Delahunty Chris Perry Notes to Editors Tullow is a leading independent oil & gas, exploration and production group,quoted on the London and Irish Stock Exchanges (symbol: TLW) and is aconstituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The Group has interests in over 120exploration and production licences across 23 countries and focuses on four coreareas: Europe, Africa, South Asia and South America. Tullow's European interests are primarily focused on gas in the UK SouthernNorth Sea where it has significant interests in the Caister-Murdoch System andthe Thames-Hewett areas and operates over 70% of its production. In Africa, Tullow has exploration and production in Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire, Congo(Brazzaville), Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea and a large gas fielddevelopment and appraisal programme in Namibia. Tullow also has explorationprogrammes in Mauritania, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda, Congo (DRC), Tanzania,Madagascar, Angola and Ghana. In South Asia, Tullow has exploration and production in Pakistan and Bangladeshand high impact exploration activities in India. In South America Tullow has high impact exploration interests in Trinidad andTobago, French Guiana, Suriname and the Falkland Islands. For further information please refer to our website at www.tullowoil.com ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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