Total Makes Another Major Discovery Offshore South Africa

OE Staff

October 28, 2020

Deepsea Stavanger drilling rig/Credit: BP/Flickr

French oil major Total has struck another major gas condensate discovery offshore South Africa.

The company said Wednesday it had made a significant gas condensate discovery on the Luiperd prospect, located on Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin, 175 kilometers off the southern coast of South Africa. 

The discovery follows the adjacent play opening Brulpadda discovery made in 2019, which proved a significant new petroleum province in the region.

Using Odfjell Drilling's Deepsea Stavanger offshore drilling rig, Total drilled the Luiperd well was drilled to a total depth of about 3,400 meters and encountered 73 meters of net gas condensate pay in well-developed good quality Lower Cretaceous reservoirs. 

"Following a comprehensive coring and logging program the well will be tested to assess the dynamic reservoir characteristics and deliverability," Total said.

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"We are very pleased with this second discovery and its very encouraging results, which prove the world-class nature of this offshore gas play," said Arnaud Breuillac, President Exploration & Production at Total. "With this discovery and the successful seismic acquisitions, Total and its partners have acquired important data on the Paddavissie fairway, which will help to progress development studies and engage with South African authorities regarding the possible conditions of the gas commercialization."

The Block 11B/12B covers an area of 19,000 square kilometers, with water depths ranging from 200 to 1,800 meters. It is operated by Total with a 45% working interest, alongside Qatar Petroleum (25%), CNR international (20%) and Main Street, a South African consortium (10%).

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum said: "The initial well results are better than anticipated, and they offer a great opportunity to pursue further exploration and appraisal activities in this area, and to look into integrated commercialization of these findings in alignment with all stakeholders.” 

Map Credit: Qatar Petroleum