Africa Oil & Gas: Ophir Energy’s Ayame-1X well offshore Cote d’Ivoire disappoints

Ophir Energy has announced that the Ayame-1X exploration well in Block 513, Cote d’Ivoire, has reached total depth of 5,394m True Vertical Depth Sub Sea. The well was targeting a number of turbidite channel complexes of Santonian and Turonian age. The prospective reservoir intervals were encountered as prognosed. Oil shows were recorded in the target reservoirs, but significant hydrocarbons were not encountered.

To date the operation has been conducted without incident, having successfully drilled and cased the longest riser-less surface section in the region and reached TD in the subsequent hole section with a single bit run (another basin first).  Operations are forecast to complete by the 22nd May at an estimated final cost of $20.5 million gross.

Full analysis and interpretation of the data is ongoing, but the well will be plugged and abandoned as a dry hole. Ophir has a 45% operated interest in Block 513.(Source: Ophir Energy)